Antigua

  • Intro Antigua en Barbuda Antigua and Barbuda Vlag van Antigua en Barbuda Volkslied: Fair Antigua, We Salute Thee Officiële landstaal Engels Hoofdstad Saint John's Regeringsvorm Parlementaire monarchie Religie Christelijk Oppervlakte – % water 442 km² -% Inwoners – Dichtheid: 67 duizend 152/km² Munteenheid Oost Caribische dollar (XCD) Tijdzone UTC -4 Nationale feestdag ## #### Web | Code | Tel. .ag | ATG | 1268 Antigua en Barbuda is een eilandstaat in het oostelijk deel van de Caribische Zee, op de grens met de Atlantische Oceaan. Antigua en Barbuda maken onderdeel uit van de Bovenwindse Eilanden in de Kleine Antillen. In het zuiden bevindt zich het Franse eiland Guadeloupe, in het zuidwesten het Britse Montserrat, in het westen Saint Kitts en Nevis en in het noordwesten het bij Guadeloupe behorende Saint Barthélemy. Antigua en Barbuda zijn lid van het Brits Gemenebest en werden onafhankelijk van het Verenigd Koninkrijk op 1 november 1981. Elizabeth II is staatshoofd. Bekende mensen uit Antigua en Barbuda Britse Gemenebest-gouverneur James Carlisle Minister-President Lester Bird

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  • Antigua Events Calendar January 01 New Years Day - Public Holiday Official Start of the CRICKET SEASON – For further information Tel: 268-462-9090 Official Start of the VOLLEYBALL SEASON – Contact Wilbur Harrigan Tel: 268-462-0827 04 Exhibition at Harmony Hall featuring Sheila Isham For further information Tel: 268-460-4120 17 FIELD TRIP – Environmental Awareness Group. Further details contact EAG Office at Tel: 268-462-6236. 24-25 Antigua Yacht Club – Round the Island Race For further information Tel: 268-460-1799 or visit www.antiguanice.com Exhibition at MUSEUM of Antigua and Barbuda For further information Telephone: 268-462-1469/4930 .........................................................................................top February 01 Exhibition at Harmony Hall featuring Jerry Cajko For further information Tel: 268-460-4120 07 Sports Woman and Man of the Year Ward For further information Contact Pat Whyte: 268-562-1102/03 Sports Woman and Man of the Year Ward For further information Contact Pat Whyte: 268-562-1102/03 14-15 JOLLY HARBOUR YACHT CLUB- VALENTINE’S DAY RACE. Valentine’s Day Race. For further information Tel: 268 461-6324 or visit www.Jollyharbouryachtclub.com 21 FIELD TRIP organized by the Environmental Awareness Group. For further details contact EAG Office at Tel: 268-462-6236 Exhibition at MUSEUM of Antigua and Barbuda For further information Tel: 268-462-1469/4930 .........................................................................................top March 07 Exhibition at Harmony Hall featuring Fuderno (Roberto Carli) For further information Tel: 268-460-4120 13-14 ANTIGUA YACHT CLUB – International LASER OPEN. For further details Tel: 268-460-1799 or visit www.antiguanice.com 20 FIELD TRIP – Environmental Awareness Group. For further details contact the EAG Office at Tel: 268-462-6236 .........................................................................................top April 04 Exhibition at Harmony Hall featuring Mazola Wa Mwashighadi For further information Tel: 268-460-4120 Exhibition at MUSEUM of Antigua and Barbuda For further information Telephone: 268-462-1469/4930 09 GOOD FRIDAY – PUBLIC HOLIDAY 12 EASTER MONDAY – PUBLIC HOLIDAY 10-12 ANTIGUA YACHT CLUB - MEGA YACHT CHALLENGE. For further details contact the Antigua Yacht Club Tel: 268-460-1799 or visit www.antiguanice.com 10-14 INTERNATIONAL CRICKET – West Indies vs England 4th Test For further information Tel: 268-481-2450/51 15-20 ANTIGUA CLASSIC YACHT REGATTA – One of the foremost classic yacht regattas in the world For further details contact the Antigua Yacht Club Tel: 268-460-1799 17 FIELD TRIP organized by the Environmental Awareness Group. For further details contact EAG Office at Tel: 268-462-6236 22 ANTIGUA YACHT CLUB – Guadeloupe to Antigua Race. For further details contact the Antigua Yacht Club Tel: 460-1799 or visit www.antiguanice.com Department of Tourism ANNUAL MODEL BOAT RACE COMPETITION - An unusual opportunity to see perfectly scaled-down marine works of art compete, and be proudly shown by their owners, boat builders and skippers. For further details contact the Department of Tourism at Tel:268-462-0480/462-2506 25- 01 May ANTIGUA SAILING WEEK For further information Tel: 268 562-3276 or visit www.sailingweek.com .........................................................................................top May 03 LABOUR DAY - PUBLIC HOLIDAY RED CROSS DAY Exhibition at MUSEUM of Antigua and Barbuda For further information Telephone: 268-462-1469/4930 27th ANNUAL TENNIS WEEK – Curtain Bluff Hotel Join international tennis professionals for a week of stimulating combination of world-class tennis and instructional clinics. For further information Tel: 268-462-8400 15 FIELD TRIP organized by the Environmental Awareness Group. For further details contact EAG Office at Tel: 462-6236 Blindness Awareness Month - The main fund-raising period for Antigua & Barbuda Society of and for the Blind, with various activities helping to raise local and visitor awareness of the blind or visually impaired For further information Tel: 268 462-0663 INTERNATIONAL ANGLICAN FOOD FAIR – an annual event held at the Deanery Grounds in St. John’s. Displaying a variety of stalls and stands with a feast of Antiguan and Caribbean fare. For further details Tel:268-462-0820 BARBUDA’S CARIBANA – major Carnival in Barbuda and the annual jump-up. For further information Tel: 268-460-0077 31 WHIT MONDAY - PUBLIC HOLIDAY .........................................................................................top June Exhibition at MUSEUM of Antigua and Barbuda For further information Te: 268-462-1469/4930 WORLD ENVIRONMENT DAY For further information Tel: 268-462-4625/7278 19 FIELD TRIP organized by the Environmental Awareness Group For further details contact the EAG Office at Tel: 462-6236 Olympic Day Run – for further information Tel: 268-462-3476 Mr. & Mrs. Antigua Bodybuilding Championship For further information contact Burt Tel: 268-463-7383 WADADLI DAY – Cultural Extravaganza ‘Calypso Spektakula’ – Annual show with local and international artists. For further information contact Gordon Derrick Tel: 268-560-5149/ 462-0471 .........................................................................................top July CARIBBEAN COMEDY FESTIVAL – For further details contact Gordon Derrick Tel: 268-560-5149/ 462-0471 05 V.C. Bird Day/CARICOM Day – PUBLIC HOLIDAY HOLY FAMILY CATHOLIC PARISH BAZAAR & FOOD FAIR - Annual event held at the Michael’s Mount in St. John’s. International food, culture, games and competitions for a good family day out. For further information Tel: 268-461-1127 ANTIGUA YACHT CLUB – GREEN ISLAND WEEKEND For further details Tel: 460-1799 or visit website www.antiguanice.com Exhibition at MUSEUM of Antigua and Barbuda For further information Telephone: 268-462-1469/4930 17 FIELD TRIP organized by the Environmental Awareness Group. For further details contact the EAG Office at Tel: 462-6236 23-08 Aug ANTIGUA CARNIVAL CELEBRATIONS - in its 47th year a week of non-stop music and dance culminating in a spectacular costume parade. For further details contact the Carnival Office at Tel: 462-4707 or visit the carnival website www.antiguacarnival.com .........................................................................................top August 02 CARNIVAL MONDAY – PUBLIC HOLIDAY (J’ouvert) 03 CARNIVAL TUESDAY – PUBLIC HOLIDAY (Last Lap) 21 FIELD TRIP –Environmental Awareness Group. Further details contact the EAG Office at Tel: 462-6236 OFFICIAL START OF FOOTBALL SEASON. Held at the Antigua Recreation Grounds Further details contact Chet Green at Tel: 268-480-3232 Exhibition at MUSEUM of Antigua and Barbuda For further information Telephone; 268-462-1469/4930 TURTLE WATCH (members only) Environmental Awareness Group For further information Tel: 268-462-6236 Caribbean Netball Association Senior Championship For further information Tel: 268-462-1925 .........................................................................................top September ROYAL ANTIGUA & BARBUDA POLICE FORCE WEEK OF ACTIVITIES. For further details contact the Commissioner of Police at Tel: 268-462-0360 EXHIBITION – Museum of Antigua and Barbuda For further details contact the Museum Tel: 268-462-1469 18 FIELD TRIP – Environmental Awareness Group. For further details contact the EAG Office at Tel: 268-462-6236 .........................................................................................top October 15 ANTIGUA YACHT CLUB – Ladies Laser Open For further details Tel: 268-460-1799 or visit www.antiguanice.com 16-17 ANTIGUA YACHT CLUB - Team Racing Championship For further details Tel: 268-460-1799 or visit www.antiguanice.com WORLD FOOD DAY – Activities by the Ministry of Agriculture For further information Tel: 268 462-1213 or 462-1007/8/9 EXHIBITION – Museum of Antigua and Barbuda For further details contact the Museum Tel:462-1469 16 FIELD TRIP – Environmental Awareness Group. For further details contact the EAG Office at Tel: 462-6236 National WARRI Festival For further information Contact Trevor Simon 268-480-5770; Cyril Christian 268-462-4410; Everton Jacobs 268-460-4290 29 HERITAGE (NATIONAL DRESS) DAY 30 Spring Gardens Moravian Independence Food Fair For further information Tel: 268-560-4149 .........................................................................................top November 01 23ND ANNIVERSAY OF INDEPENDENCE OF THE NATION OF ANTIGUA & BARBUDA – PUBLIC HOLIDAY ANNUAL INDEPENDENCE BRIDGE TOURNAMENT For further details Tel: 268-462-1459 or e-mail: jamesp@candw.ag ANTIGUA YACHT CLUB – Independence Day Race For further details contact Antigua Yacht Club Tel: 460-1799 or visit: www.antiguanice.com ARBOR Month Activities - For further information Tel: 268-460-7278 EXHIBITION – Museum of Antigua and Barbuda For further details contact the Museum Tel:462-1469 ANTIGUA OPEN GOLF TOURNAMENT For further information Tel: 268-462-0161 20 FIELD TRIP –Environmental Awareness Group. For further details contact the EAG Office at Tel: 268-462-6236 EBENEZER METHODIST CHURCH BAZAAR For further information Tel: 268-462-3864 “MOODS OF PAN” – Exciting showcase and workshops by steel pan orchestra/musicians. For further details contact Mr. Joseph Henry at Tel: 268-727-026; Patrick Johnson 268-773-6633 .........................................................................................top December 42nd NICHOLSON ANTIGUA YACHT SHOW- the world’s oldest charter yacht show where boats from the world over converge on English Harbour, Falmouth and the St. James’ Club. From Sloops and cutters to schooners and catamarans plus big power craft. For further details Tel: 268-460-1530 or visit www.nicholsonsyachts.com WORLD AIDS DAY - For further details Tel: 462-5975/9605 Exhibition at HARMONY HALL For further information Tel: 268-460-4120 Exhibition - Museum of Antigua & Barbuda. For further details contact the Museum at Tel: 462-1469/4930 ANTIGUA YACHT CLUB - HIGH TIDE SERIES For further details contact Antigua Yacht Club at Tel: 460-1799 or visit www.antiguanice.com 18 Field Trip organized by The Environmental Awareness Group (EAG) For further information Tel: 268-462-6236 25 CHRISTMAS DAY – PUBLIC HOLIDAY 25 CHAMPAGNE PARTY IN NELSON’S DOCKYARD – for something completely different and fun! An annual tradition – many visitors and locals gather here from noon onwards for partying to live bands, quaffing reasonably priced bottles of champagne (kept in a ice-filled bath), with all proceeds going to the Hourglass Foundation Charity. Join us for a historical, colorful, festive day. 26 BOXING DAY – PUBLIC HOLIDAY

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  • Antigua Cruises HET BESTE REISBUREAU VOOR CRUISES IN 2002, 2003, 2004 EN 2005 KLIK OP DE AFBEELDING VOOR MEER INFORMATIE EN ONLINE BOEKEN 8 Daagse cruise door de Caribbean € 1425 Naam Schip: Star Clipper Naam Rederij: Star Clippers Gewicht schip: 3,025 Ton Aanleghavens: Philipsburg, Anguillla, Virgin Gorda, Sopers Hole, Norman Island, Jost van Dyke, St. Kitts, St. Barths / St. Barthélemy Vaargebied: Caribbean 8 Daagse cruise door de Caribbean € 736 Naam Schip: Norwegian Sun Naam Rederij: Norwegian Cruise Line Gewicht schip: 78,309 Ton Aanleghavens: Houston, Belize City, Roatan Vaargebied: Caribbean 8 Daagse cruise door de Caribbean Algemene aanbieding Naam Schip: Sea Dream I Naam Rederij: Sea Dream Yacht Club Gewicht schip: 4,260 Ton Aanleghavens: Charlotte Amalie, St. Thomas, Marigot, Iles des Saintes, Falmouth, Anguillla, Virgin Gorda, Jost van Dyke Vaargebied: Caribbean 8 Daagse cruise door de Caribbean van € 2480 voor € 2280 Vroegboek korting Naam Schip: Royal Clipper Naam Rederij: Star Clippers Gewicht schip: 5,000 Ton Aanleghavens: Barbados, Captain's Best, Grenada, Tobago Cays, Bequia/St. Vincent, Martinique, Fort-de-France, Marigot Bay, Soufrière Vaargebied: Caribbean 8 Daagse cruise door de Caribbean € 2724 Volgeboekt Naam Schip: Seabourn Pride Naam Rederij: Seabourn Cruise Line Gewicht schip: 10,000 Ton Aanleghavens: Bridgetown, Puerto Ordaz, St. George's, Mayreau Vaargebied: Caribbean 8 Daagse cruise door de Caribbean € 440 Volgeboekt Naam Schip: Carnival Destiny Naam Rederij: Carnival Cruise Lines Gewicht schip: 101,353 Ton Aanleghavens: Oranjestad, San Juan, St. Thomas, Dominica, Bridgetown Vaargebied: Caribbean 6 Daagse cruise door de Caribbean € 317 Naam Schip: Volendam Naam Rederij: Holland America Line Gewicht schip: 63,000 Ton Aanleghavens: Fort Lauderdale, Florida, Key West, Florida, Cozumel, Costa Maya Vaargebied: Caribbean 15 Daagse cruise door de Caribbean € 1667 Naam Schip: Oceana Naam Rederij: P&O Cruises Gewicht schip: 77,000 Ton Aanleghavens: Barbados, Isla Margarita, Curacao, Aruba, Grand Cayman, Ocho Rios, Catalina Eiland, Tortola, Antigua, St. Lucia Vaargebied: Caribbean 8 Daagse cruise door de Caribbean € 420 Naam Schip: Golden Princess Naam Rederij: Princess Cruises Gewicht schip: 109,000 Ton Aanleghavens: San Juan, St. Lucia, Barbados, Antigua, St. Maarten, St. Thomas Vaargebied: Caribbean 8 Daagse cruise door de Caribbean van € 1170 voor € 1038 Algemene aanbieding Naam Schip: Holiday Dream Naam Rederij: Pullmantur Cruises Gewicht schip: 38,000 Ton Aanleghavens: Havana, Cozumel, Montego Bay, Grand Cayman, Isla Paraiso Vaargebied: Caribbean HET BESTE REISBUREAU VOOR CRUISES IN 2002, 2003, 2004 EN 2005 BLUE CRUISES - TURKIJE Blue Cruise Antalya Kekova vanaf € 349 Beleef Turkije op z'n mooist! Ga mee op de de Blue Cruise Antalya en ontdek de Turkse Rivièra. Blue Cruise Bodrum Gokova vanaf € 378 Beleef Turkije op z'n mooist! Ga mee op de de Blue Cruise Bodrum en ontdek de Egeïsche kust. Blue Cruises Een vakantie anders dan anders? Ga dan mee op onze Blue Cruise en beleef Turkije op z'n mooist! Onderstaand kunt u kiezen uit de cruises Bodrum en Antalya. U verblijft op basis van vol pension volgens de volgende formule: Ontbijt, lunch en diner per dagmenu, alle lokale alcoholische en alcoholvrije drankjes ter plekke te betalen. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Cruiseschip Queen Mary 2 Cruiseschip, door Welleman Een cruiseschip is een vaak groot passagiersschip, speciaal bedoeld voor het vervoeren of vermaken van passagiers. Meestal staan zonnige bestemmingen op het programma, maar ook Alaska is een populair gebied voor een cruisetocht in de zomer. Cruises zijn de laatste jaren populairder geworden met honderdduizendenden passagiers in 2004. Zo zijn in de jaren 2001-2004 voor Noord-Amerika minstens negen nieuwe schepen aan de vloot toegevoegd. De televisieserie The Love Boat uit de jaren '70, opgenomen op het cruiseschip Pacific Princess van de rederij Princess Cruises, heeft cruises en cruiseschepen bekender gemaakt bij een groot aantal mensen. Hiernaast staat een opengewerkte tekening van een passagiersschip afgebeeld, op z'n Engels ook wel ocean liner of cruise ship genoemd. Duidelijk zijn de boegschroeven en de hoofdmotor, achter in de machinekamer, te zien. Natuurlijk mogen disco en zwembad niet ontbreken! Een befaamde reder van passagiersschepen is de Holland-Amerika Lijn; bekende cruiseschepen zijn de RMS Titanic, de Queen Mary 2 (grootste cruiseschip in 2005) en de Queen Elizabeth 2. Holland-Amerika Lijn De Holland-Amerika lijn ('H.A.L.') was een maatschappij die een scheepvaartverbinding onderhield tussen Nederland en Amerika. Het bedrijf had als thuisbasis de haven van Rotterdam. voormalig hoofdkantoor HAL, thans Hotel New York De grote lijn Rotterdam - New York bestond van 1873 tot 1978, en speelde een grote rol in de landverhuizingen van Europa naar Amerika. De maatschappij bediende ook vrachtlijnen, maar als bijzaak. Door de toenemende concurrentie van het vliegtuig op de transatlantische route, werd besloten om de schepen meer en meer voor de cruisevaart te gaan benutten. Op 8 november 1971 verliet de Nieuw-Amsterdam II de Maasstad voor de allerlaatste oversteek. Het hoofdkantoor werd in 1977 verplaatst van Rotterdam naar Seattle aan de Amerikaanse westkust. In 1984 werd het kantoor in New York gesloten en per 1 mei 1984 stond het karakteristieke kantoor op de Wilhelminakade te koop. Vandaag de dag maakt 'Holland America Line Inc.' deel uit van Carnival, 's werelds grootste cruise-consortium waartoe vele bekende merken behoren. De Nederlandse oorsprong leeft door in het bekende logo, dat het zeilschip 'De Halve Maen' afbeeld (het schip waarmee Henry Hudson in 1609 Manhattan ontdekte) met op de achtergrond de boeg van de Nieuw-Amsterdam II, de beroemde liner. Sinds een aantal jaren varen de schepen weer onder Nederlandse vlag, ook heeft men in Spijkenisse het vlootkantoor staan omdat men nog steeds met Nederlandse officieren vaart. Ten slotte is het privé eiland in de Bahama's vernoemd naar de Halve Maen: Half Moon Cay. De 5-sterrenvloot bestaat uit 13 schepen waarvan één in aanbouw bij Fincantieri in Venetië. Hieronder een opsomming van de schepen met het jaar wanneer zij in dienst genomen zijn: S-Klasse: Statendam (1992) Maasdam (1993) Ryndam (1994) Veendam (1996) R-Klasse: Rotterdam (1997) Volendam (1999) Zaandam (2000) Amsterdam (2001) Prinsendam (2002,) voormalig Seaborn-schip Vista-Klasse: Zuiderdam (2002) Oosterdam (2003) Westerdam (2004) Noordam (2006) Geschiedenis In 1871 werd de vennootschap CoPlate Reuchlin & Co opgericht door Antoine Plate F.jn en Jhr. Otto Reuchlin, met als doel een rechtstreekse verbinding met Amerika, uitgevoerd met stoomschepen. In 1873 werd CoPlate Reuchlin omgezet in de N.V. Nederlandsch Amerikaansche Stoomvaart Maatschappij (N.A.S.M.) voort. Vlak hierna, in 1875, werd de Nieuwe Waterweg geopend, waardoor Rotterdam een belangrijke Europese haven kon worden. In deze periode werd New York een vaste bestemming. In 1896 werd de naam Holland-Amerika Lijn gekozen, soms afgekort tot H.A.L. De afkorting heeft nu een Engelstalige invulling (Holland America Line), en wordt bestuurd vanuit Seattle. Queen Mary 2 feiten Besteld: 6 november 2000 Bouwers: Chantiers de l'Atlantique (ALSTOM), Saint-Nazaire Tewaterlating: 25 september 2003 Gedoopt: 8 januari 2004 Eerste reis: 12 januari 2004 Status: in dienst hoofd karakteristieken Tonnage: 150.000 brt Verplaatsing: 76.000 ton (ong.) Lengte: 345 m Breedte: 41 m Diepgang: 10 m Hoogte: 72 m (17 dekken) Voortstuwing: 157.000 pk (117 MW) GE LM2500+ dieselmotoren Snelheid: ongeveer 30 knopen (56 km/h) Capaciteit: 2620 passagiers + 1253 bemanning Kostprijs: ca. $ 800 miljoen Hutten: 1310 waarvan 920 met uitzicht op zee, 97 suites (tot 202 m2) Tarieven: vanaf $ 125/dag standaardhut zonder uitzicht, $540dag/suite (35 m2) De Queen Mary 2 was, op het moment van tewaterlating in 2003, het grootste passagiersschip ofwel cruiseschip ooit gebouwd. Ze overtreft de legendarische Titanic met flinke afstand op afmetingen, snelheid en luxe. Bouwgeschiedenis Het schip is eigendom van de Britse rederij Cunard Line en maakte in januari 2004 zijn eerste zeereis. De Queen Mary 2 is gebouwd in de Franse havenstad Saint-Nazaire. Op 15 november 2003 vond op de scheepswerf een ernstig ongeluk plaats. Tijdens een open dag stortte een voetgangersbrug in, waarbij 15 personen omkwamen. Op 16 april 2004 vond de eerste transatlantische oversteek van Southampton maar New York plaats. De eerste oostwaartse oversteek volgde op 25 april 2004. Cruises Gedurende de wintermaanden zal de Queen Mary 2 vanuit Fort Lauderdale cruises maken naar het Carïbisch gebied en Zuid-Amerika (carnaval in Rio de Janeiro). In de rest van het jaar volgen transatlantische oversteken, afgewisseld met Europese cruises (Middellandse Zee, Noorwegen) of rondvaarten vanuit New York naar o.a. het Caraïbisch gebied. Bezoek aan Nederland Op 25 juli 2004 heeft de Queen Mary 2 Rotterdam aangedaan. Eigenlijk is Amsterdam de Nederlandse cruisehaven, maar de Queen Mary 2 is zo breed dat het schip maar net in de Noordersluis bij IJmuiden past. De Queen Mary 2 kon daarom alleen toestemming krijgen om de schutsluis binnen te varen bij rustig weer. De directie van Cunard Line wilde dat risico niet nemen, en besloot dan maar voor Rotterdam te kiezen, dat zonder sluis kan worden bereikt. Queen Elizabeth 2 De Queen Elizabeth 2, of ook wel QE2 genoemd, was meer dan 30 jaar het vlaggeschip van de Cunard Line. De QE2 maakte haar eerste reis in 1969 en is een van de laatste grote transatlantische passagiersschepen. Met een lengte van 293,5 meter en een topsnelheid van 32.5 knopen is ze ook een van de grootste en snelste passagiersschepen die er zijn. Historie 30 december 1964 Contract getekend met John Brown Shipyard in Clydebank. 5 juli 1965 Kiel gelegd. 20 september 1967 Te water gelaten door Koningin Elizabeth II. 19 november 1968 QE2 maakt eerste vaart na te zijn ingericht onder leiding van Kapitein 'Bil' Warwick. 26 november 1968 Start van proefvaarten in de Ierse zee. 22 april 1969 Mini 'maiden voyage' naar Las Palmas. 2 mei 1969 Officiële 'maiden voyage' naar New York. 1975 Eerste cruise rond de wereld. mei 1982 QE2 wordt gevorderd ten behoeve van troepentransport voor de Falkland oorlog. Op 12 mei 1982 zette ze koers naar St. Georgia met 3000 manschappen aan boord. Op 11 juni 1982 kwam ze veilig terug in Southampton. oktober 1986 In Duitsland begonnen met de ombouw van een stoommachine naar een dieselmotor. 1987 QE2 wint de prijs voor exportprestaties van de koningin. 7 augustus 1992 Loopt op de rotsen bij Vineyard Sound. (Deze rotsen stonden niet op de kaarten.) december 1994 Uitgebreide herinrichting. 11 september 1995 Ontmoeting met Orkaan Luis op reis naar de Verenigde Staten en wordt geraakt door een golf van 29 meter. 2 januari 1996 QE2 tekent de 4 miljoenste zeemijl op in haar logboek. 1996 Na de verkoop van Trafalgar House aan Kvaerner gaat het eigendom van Cunard Line ook naar deze Noorse maatschappij. mei 1998 Kvaerner verkoopt Cunard Line aan het Amerikaanse Carnival Corporation. 29 augustus 2002 QE2 tekent 5 miljoenste zeemijl op in haar logboek. Faciliteiten Aan boord van dit passagiersschip bevinden zich onder andere de volgende faciliteiten. 5 restaurants and 2 eetcafés 3 zwembaden (tot de ombouw in 1994 waren dat er 4) nachtclub en verschillende barrs bioscoop met 481 zitplaatsen casino winkelcentrum en een filiaal van Harrod's fitnessclub schoonheidssalon bibliotheek ziekenhuis Gegevens Lengte: 293,52 m Breedte: 32,07 m Tonnage: 70.327 brt Bouwers: John Brown & Co., Clydebank Constructie: Staal Schoorstenen: 1 Masten: 1 Snelheid: 28,5 knopen (ca. 52,25 km/u) Aandrijving: 1.000 pk (boegschroeven), en 130.000 pk (hoofdmotoren) Passagiers: 1.791 RMS Titanic Een proefvaart van de Titanic op 2 april 1912 De RMS Titanic was de tweede uit een drietal luxe superliners, die een groot deel van het transatlantisch verkeer zouden moeten verwerken. De Titanic was eigendom van de White Star Line-rederij, en werd gemaakt in Belfast; ten tijde van haar eerste reis was het het grootste passagiersschip ter wereld, en samen met haar zusterschepen boot en Brittanic het grootste bewegende object ooit gemaakt door de mens. Tijdens de eerste reis van de Titanic in april 1912 kwam ze in botsing met een ijsberg; een deel van de stuurboordzijde werd op verscheidene plaatsen doorboord, en binnen drie uur was het schip gezonken. Vijftienhonderd opvarenden kwamen om het leven, waarmee dit één van de ergste schipbreuken in een tijd van vrede in de geschiedenis is, maar ook één van de bekendste. Constructie De Titanic werd in opdracht van de White Star Line gebouwd op de scheepswerf van Harland en Wolff in Belfast. De White Star Line wilde met het schip concurreren met Cunard Line's Lusitania en Mauretania. De Titanic en haar zusterschepen, de Olympic en de Brittanic moesten de grootste en meest luxueze passagiersschepen worden die de wereld tot dan toe had gezien. De bouw van de Titanic begon op 31 maart 1909. De romp van het schip werd in 1911 te water gelaten, en een jaar later was het schip klaar voor zijn eerste reis. Het schip was 269 meter lang en 28 meter breed, en woog zo'n 46.000 ton. De Titanic werd aangedreven door twee vier-cilinder stoommachines en één stoomturbine. Om deze motoren aan te drijven waren er 159 kolenovens. De Titanic kon hiermee zo'n 43 kilometer per uur varen. De overgebleven gassen werden uitgestoten via één van de schoorstenen; hiervan waren er maar drie functioneel, aangezien de vierde er was bijgeplaatst om het schip nog indrukwekkender te maken. Het tijdschrift Ship Builders schreef in 1912 dat de Titanic praktisch onzinkbaar moest zijn. De scheepsromp was opgedeeld in zestien compartimenten, die vanaf de brug gesloten konden worden. Wanneer er vier compartimenten vol met water zouden lopen, kon het schip nog verder varen. Aan boord was er plaats voor ruim 3.500 opvarenden. De Titanic bood haar passagiers - met name de welgestelden - een nog nooit eerder geziene vorm van vermaak aan boord. Er was een zwembad en sporthal, een Turks stoombad, bibliotheek en een squash-veld. De hutten van de passagiers die eerste klas reisden waren gedecoreerd met dure houten panelen en luxueuze meubels. Er waren drie liften aangebracht om de rijkste passagiers tussen de dekken heen en weer te vervoeren. De Titanic bood als eerste stoomschip ook zulke faciliteiten aan tweede-klas passagiers. De Titanic bezat 20 reddingsboten, waarmee in totaal 1178 personen vervoerd konden worden. Hoewel dit niet genoeg zou zijn voor alle passagiers, had het schip al meer reddingsboten dan wettelijk was verplicht, aangezien het aantal nog berekend werd aan de hand van het gewicht van het moederschip, in plaats van het aantal opvarenden. Eerste reis Op 10 april 1912 verliet de Titanic de haven van Southampton, Engeland, met als bestemming New York City, met Edward Smith als kapitein. De grootte van het schip creëerde een enorme aanzuigingskracht, waardoor het nabij gelegen stoomschip New York richting de Titanic werd gezogen en bijna met haar in botsing kwam. Het onheil werd afgewend, maar het vertrek moest wel met een uur worden uitgesteld. De Titanic stak eerst het Kanaal over om in het Franse Cherbourg een aantal passagiers te laten opstappen. Daarna voer men naar Cobh (Ierland), om uiteindelijk met 2.223 opvarenden richting New York koers te zetten. De passagiers waren opgedeeld in de eerste, tweede en derde klas. De derde klas, ook wel steerage genoemd, bestond uit kleine hutten op de onderste dekken van het schip. De meeste passagiers daar waren immigranten, die in de Verenigde Staten een nieuw leven wilden opbouwen. In de tweede klas, waarvan de hutten richting achtersteven bevonden, zaten passagiers die afkomstig waren uit de middenklasse. De tweede-klas hutten van de Titanic waren net zo luxueus als eerste-klas hutten van de meeste andere passagiersschepen uit die tijd. De eerste klas van de Titanic was het duurst en meest luxueus. Een aantal schatrijke en zeer prominente mensen reisde in deze klasse naar New York. Onder hen waren de millionaire John Jacob Aster en zijn vrouw, de industrieel Benjamin Guggenheim en de Amerikaanse presidentsadviseur Archibald Butt. De directeur van de White Star Line, J. Bruce Ismay en Thomas Andrews, de ontwerper van de Titanic, hadden ook eerste-klas hutten. De ramp Eén van de reddingsboten In de nacht van 14 april vroor het; de zee was kalm en de lucht was helder. Kapitein Smith had de koers van het schip iets naar het zuiden bijgesteld vanwege een aantal waarschuwingen voor ijsbergen in het gebied. Eerder die dag had het stoomschip America naar de Titanic geseind dat zich grote ijsbergen in haar koers bevonden, maar om onbekende redenen heeft dit bericht de brug nooit bereikt. 's Avonds werden ook waarschuwingen van de Mesaba genegeerd. Om 23.40 's avonds voer de Titanic langs de zandbanken van Newfoundland, namen de twee matrozen in het kraaiennest een grote ijsberg waar, die zich recht voor de boeg bevond. Eerste stuurman William Murdoch beval het schip een scherpe bocht naar links te maken, en liet de stoommachines stoppen en vervolgens in de tegenovergestelde richting werken. Een botsing bleek onvermijdelijk, en de ijsberg schraapte langs de rechterzijde, waarbij meer dan een kwart van de de romp werd opengereten en vijf van de waterdichte compartimenten vol begonnen te lopen. Het gewicht van het water in die vijf compartimenten zorgde ervoor dat de Titanic begon te hellen, waardoor het water over de waterdichte schotten in de andere compartimenten kon stromen. Kapitein Smith, die wakker geworden was door de botsing, beval het schip te stoppen. Na een inspectie van de schade was het duidelijk dat het schip zou zinken, en kort na middernacht werden de eerste reddingsboten gereed gemaakt. De eerste reddingsboot, boot 7, ging om 00.40 te water met 28 mensen aan boord. De Titanic had twintig reddingsboten, die ongeveer twaalfhonderd mensen konden houden. Hoewel dit lang niet genoeg was voor alle opvarenden, had de Titanic meer boten dan de Britse scheepvaartautoriteit nodig achtte. In die tijd werd het aantal benodigde reddingsboten berekend aan de hand van het gewicht van het schip, niet aan de hand van het aantal mogelijke passagiers. De passagiers uit de eerste en tweede klassen konden zich makkelijk naar het dek met de reddingsboten begeven, omdat hun hutten vrij hoog in het schip zaten. De derde-klas passagiers, echter, moesten een heel gangenstelsel door om boven te komen. Ook hielden de stewards de poorten naar de hogere dekken gesloten totdat er toestemming kwam om de mensen uit de derde klas naar boven te laten. Intussen werd door de telegrafen het noodsignaal CQD uitgezonden. Een aantal schepen reageerden hierop - waaronder de Mount Temple, de Frankfurt en Titanic's zusterschip de Olympic, maar geen van hen was in staat om het schip op tijd te bereiken. De Carpathia van de Cunard Line was het dichtstbij, maar moest nog 93 kilometer overbruggen voor ze bij de Titanic zou arriveren. Cape Race in Newfoundland ontving als enige landbasis de oproep. Er was één schip dat al vanaf de Titanic gezien kon worden: de SS Californian; de telegraaf van deze boot was echter al naar bed, en dus ontvingen de officieren van de Californian niet de CQD van de Titanic. Ondertussen waren de meeste passagiers niet van plan de ogenschijnlijk veilige Titanic te verwisselen voor een kleine en onstabiele roeiboot. Daarom werden de meeste reddingsboten maar halfvol te water gelaten: één van de boten kon veertig mensen opvangen, maar ging met slechts twaalf opvarenden te water. De officieren lieten voornamelijk vrouwen en kinderen van boord gaan; sommigen lieten principieel geen mannen toe in de reddingsboten, andere alleen als er nog ruimte over was. Naar mate de tijd verstreek verdween de boeg steeds verder onder het wateroppervlak en begonnen de passagiers zich naar de reddingsboten te begeven. Rond 2 uur 's nachts, toen de gehele boeg verdwenen was, waren alle boten op twee na te water gelaten. De boeg van de Titanic Om 2.10 helde de Titanic al zover naar voren dat de schroef zichtbaar werd. De twee overgebleven reddingsboten dreven weg, en de voorste schoorsteen brak af, waarbij een deel van de brug vernield werd en de mensen in het water verpletterd werden. De mensen die nog aan boord waren renden in paniek naar de achtersteven of sprongen in het water, in de hoop een reddingsboot te bereiken. Om kwart over twee viel uiteindelijk ook de elektriciteit uit. Spoedig daarna brak de Titanic in tweeën tussen de twee achterste schoorstenen, waarna de boeg onmiddellijk zonk. De achtersteven zonk kort erna. In totaal overleefden slechts 706 van de 2223 opvarenden de ramp. De meeste slachtoffers waren bevangen door de kou van de Atlantische Oceaan en stierven aan onderkoeling. Twee van de te water gelaten reddingsboten (4 en 14) gingen terug om overlevenden op te pikken, maar slechts zes mensen konden worden gered. In de andere boten besloot men niet terug te keren, bang om alsnog te zinken door het enorme aantal mensen dat zou proberen naar binnen te klimmen, of door de zuiging van de zinkende Titanic naar beneden gezogen te worden (proefondervindelijk onderzoek heeft echter recent aangetoond dat er helemaal geen zuiging was). Redding De RMS Carpathia arriveerde twee uur nadat de Titanic was gezonken op de plek van de ramp. De overlevenden uit de reddingsboten werden aan boord gehaald, maar geen van de mensen die te water waren geraakt waren nog in leven. Om 8.50 's ochtends zette de Carpathia koers naar New York, waar ze op 18 april aankwam. De White Star Line stuurde de boot MacKay-Bennett om de lijken uit de oceaan te vissen. 338 lichamen werden teruggebracht naar Halifax in Nova Scotia, waar de meeste niet geïdentificeerd werden en anoniem begraven in het Fairview Cemetery. DVD Region 2 - Titanic: Deluxe Definitive Collectors Editon (4 Disc Set) Price: EUR 24.99 Release/Despatch Date: Monday 7 Nov Certificate: 12 Category: Drama No. of Discs: 4 Running Time: 189 minutes Year Produced: 1997 Region: 2 (UK & Europe/Japan) Audio: English - Dolby Digital 5.1 English - DTS 6.1 Aspect Ratio: 2.35 (Widescreen) Anamorphic: Yes Encoding: PAL Interactive Features: Interactive Menus, Alternative Ending, Scene Selection, Theatrical Trailer, Making Of Feature, Featurette Review: Nothing on earth can rival the epic spectacle and breathtaking grandeur of Titanic, the sweeping love story that sailed into the hearts of moviegoers around the world ultimately emerging as the most popular motion picture of all time. Leonardo DiCaprio and Oscar nominee Kate Winslet light up the screen as Jack and Rose, the young lovers who find one another on the maiden voyage of the 'unsinkable' R.M.S. Titanic. But when the doomed luxury liner collides with an iceberg in the frigid North Atlantic, their passionate love affair becomes a thrilling race for survival. From acclaimed filmmaker James Cameron comes a tale of forbidden love and courage in the face of disaster that triumphs as a true cinematic masterpiece. Special Features: Remastered feature with awesome Dolby Digital 6.1 Surround sound! 4 audio commentary tracks Alternative ending Deleted scenes Behind the scenes footage 'Making Of' documentary including research, pre-production and post-production featurettes Featurettes 'My Heart Will go On' music video from Celine Dion OVERZICHT CRUISESCHEPEN Adonia Adventure of the Seas African Queen (Nijlcruise) Aïda Aura Aïda Blu Aïda Cara Aïda Vita Albatros Alexander von Humboldt Amsterdam Amsterdam (feenstra) Aqua Marina Arcadia Arion Artemis Astor Astoria Athena Aurora Azolla (feenstra) Blue Dream R5 Blue Star R6 Bolero Bremen Brilliance of the Seas Calypso (feenstra) Caribbean Princess Caribé Carnival Conquest Carnival Destiny ex AUA Carnival Destiny ex SJU Carnival Glory Carnival Inspiration Carnival Jubilee Carnival Legend Carnival Liberty Carnival Miracle Carnival Paradise Carnival Pride Carnival Spirit Carnival Triumph Carnival Valor Carnival Victory Celebrity Xpedititions Century Constellation Coral Princess Costa Allegra Costa Atlantica ) Costa Classica Costa Europa Costa Fortuna Costa Magica Costa Marina Costa Mediterranea Costa Romantica Costa Tropicale Costa Victoria CroisiEurope Crystal Harmony Crystal Serenity Crystal Symphony Dawn Princess Diamond Princess Donauprinzessin Elation Empress of the Seas Enchantment of the seas Europa European Stars European Vision Explorer of the Seas Fantasy Fascination Flamenco Galaxy Golden Princess Grand Princess Grandeur of the Seas Hanseatic Holiday Dream Horizon Hurtigruten lijnschip Nordnorge***** Imagination Infinity Island Princess Ithaka Jewel of the Seas Legend of the Seas M/S Crown Jewel (Travcotel) M/S Crown Jubilee (Travcotel) M/S Crown Prince (Travcotel) M/S Crown Prince***** M/S Delphin (Hansa Kreuzfahrten) M/S Helio (Travcotel) M/S Iberotel Crown Emperor (Travcotel) M/S Iberotel Crown Empress (Travcotel) M/S Imperial (Travcotel) M/S Johann Strauss (Hansa Kreuzfahrten) M/S Nile Crown II Luxe***** (Luxor-Aswan) M/S Nile Empress (Travcotel) M/S Nile Monarch (Travcotel) M/S Nile Pearl (Travcotel) M/S Nile Sovereign (Travcotel) M/S Paloma*** (Hansa Kreuzfahrten) M/S Princess Eman (Travcotel) M/S Pyramisa M/S Regency (Travcotel) M/S Regent (Travcotel) M/S Regina (Travcotel) M/S Royale (Travcotel) M/S Semiramis 1***** (Luxor-Aswan) M/S Senator (Travcotel) M/S Sunrise Mahrousa (Luxor-Aswan)***** M/S Tania (Travcotel) Maasdam Magic Life Crown Regent Classic Majesty of the seas Marco Polo Mariner of the Seas Maxim Gorki Mercury Millennium Mistral Monarch of the seas Mozart Mps. Elegant Lady Mps. Erasmus Mps. Esmeralda Mps. Mr Jan Elshout MS Flamenco*** MS Nile Saray***** MSC Armonia MSC Lirica MSC Melody MSC Monterey MSC Opera MSC Rhapsody MSC Sinfonia Navigator of the Seas Norwegian Crown Norwegian Dawn Norwegian Dream Norwegian Jewel Norwegian Majesty Norwegian Sea Norwegian Spirit Norwegian Star Norwegian Sun Norwegian Wind Oceana Oceanic Odysseus Oosterdam Oriana Pacific Princess Paul Gauguin Poseidon (feenstra) Pride of Aloha Pride of America Prinsendam Queen Elisabeth 2 Queen Mary 2 Radiance of the Seas Radisson Diamond Regal Princess Rembrandt van Rijn (feenstra) Renaissance***** (Luxor-Aswan) Rhapsody of the Seas Rijndam Rotterdam Royal Clipper Royal Princess Salvinia (feenstra) Sapphire Sapphire Princess Sea Princess Seabourn Legend Seabourn Pride Seabourn Spirit SeaDream 1 SeaDream 2 Seawing Serenade of the Seas Seven Seas Mariner Seven Seas Navigator Seven Seas Voyager Silver Cloud Silver Shadow Silver Whisper Silver Wind Sovereign of the seas Splendour of the seas Star Clipper Star Flyer Star Princess Statendam Statendam (feenstra) Summit Sun Princess Sveti Vid Tahitian Princess test The Azur Thomson Destiny Thomson Spirit Veendam Viking Century Star Viking Lavrinenkov Viking Lomonosov Viking Peterhof Vision of the Seas Volendam Voyager of the Seas Westerdam Wind Spirit Wind Star Wind Surf World Renaissance Xpedition Zaandam Zenith Zuiderdam
  • Antigua Cuisine The following is a list of many of Antigua's leading restaurants, indicating type of cuisine served, location, and telephone number. Most accept major credit cards, and dinner reservations are always recommended in season. Converted sugar mill, Harmony Hall - Restaurant and Hotel. Restaurant Address Tel Fax Cuisine Price Admirals Inn Nelsons Dockyard English Harbour PO. Box 713 460-1027 460-1153 460-1534 Local & mainly international Lunch $27EC-$46EC Dinner $52EC-$75EC Albertos Red Hill Willowghby PO. Box 1012 albertos@candw.ag 460-3007 international Appetizers -$25 Main Course $50EC-$70EC Amigos Mexican Runaway Bay Barrymore Beach Club uppinghoused@candw.ag 562-1545 461-3304 Mexican/ American $10US-$15US Bambu Strip Sports Bar Cedar Grove Main Road PO. Box W274 460-5199 460-5199 Fast Food Bay House Restaurant Trade Winds Hotel Dickenson Bay PO. Box 1390 twhotel@candw.ag 462-1223 462-5007 International Appetizers $11EC Lunch $22EC-$27EC Dinner $55EC-$75EC Bocciolo Jolly Beach Resort Bolans Vilage 462-0061 562-2302 Italian $30US & UP Big Banana 1761 VC. Bird International Pizzas Heritage quay pizzas@candw.ag www.bigbanana-antigua.com 480-6985 480-6979 480-6989 480-6999 Local & International Pizzas, Pastas, Salads $17EC-$60EC $10EC-$76EC Calabash Restaurant & Lounge Galleon Beach Resort PO Box 1003 calabash@galleonbeach.com www.galleonbeach.com/calabash.html 562 4906 460 1450 International Fusion Starters $15 - $29 Lunch $15 - $35 Dinner $35 - $75 Charlis Café Jasmine Court Friars Hill Road 562-2233 562-2234 Fast Food $10EC & UP Chez Pacal Galley Bay Five Island chez@candw.ag 462-3232 460-5730 French Appetizers -$22EC-$40EC Main Course $61EC-$91EC Commissioners Commissioner's Alley Redcliffe Quay 462-1883 462-1886 462-1856 Local & International Breakfast $5EC-$22.50 Appetizers $10EC-$75EC Dinner $10EC-$80EC Coconut Grove Dickenson Bay www.coconutgroveantigua.com/ coconut@candw.ag 462-1538 462-2162 National/ Caribbean Flavour Starters $30-$32EC Main Course $55EC-$70EC Delightful Restaurant St. Mary's Street stanley2828@hotmail.com 462-5780 562-3988 Chinese $10EC-$26EC Downtown Food Mall Corner High & Market Street giveittome365@hotmail.com 460-8474 562-2634 Local, Chinese Deli $10EC-$26EC East Carlisle Bay, Old Road, St. Mary's http://www.carlisle-bay.com restaurants@carlisle-bay.com 484 0000 484 0001 Asian Food Dinner $50 US Food Court Woods Centre Friars Hill Road boo_003@hotmail.com 462-3663 463-5855 Local, Italian, Chinese $7EC- $27EC Fisherman's Wharf Fisherman's Wharf Chutneys Fort Rd 462-2977 Open Evenings Local, Indian, Sea Food $20 EC & Up HQ Restaurant & Bar Nelson's Dockyard English Harbour PO. Box W1089 hqantigua@hotmail.com 562-2563 461-0440 Live Lobster, Steaks Fusion Cuisine& Sushi, Starters $22.35 Main Course $45EC-$80EC Harmony Hall Brown's Bay Mill Po. Box 1558 harmony@candw.ag www.harmonyhall.com 460-4120 460-4406 International, Caribbean Italian $50EC-$100 Exceptional Wines Hemingways Caribbean Café St. Mary's Street hem_ways@hotmail.com 62-2763 560-1669 Breakfast $8EC-$25 Lunch $25EC & Up Dinner $25EC-$75EC Indigo at the Beach Carlisle Bay, Old Road, St. Mary's http://www.carlisle-bay.com restaurants@carlisle-bay.com 484 0000 484 0001 Healthy grills, seafood and salads Lunch $30 US Dinner $30 US Home Restaurant Luther George Place Gambles Terrace www.thehomerestaurant.com 461-7651 461-0277 International, Caribbean Appetizers $22EC Main Course $50EC-$65EC Island Inn Mc.Kinnons PO. Box 1218 islandinn@hotmail.com 462-4065 462-4066 Mixed Menu Reservations Joe Mikes Restaurant & Hotel Nevis Street PO. Box 136 joemikes@candw.ag 462-1142 462-6056 Local, International $20EC- $60EC Kentucky Fried Chicken Corner High & Thames Fort Road kfc@candw.ag 481-1532/33 462-1973/74 481-1520 Fast Food $10.00 & UP Lashings Beach Café & Inn Runaway Bay lashings@candw.ag www.lashings.com 462-4491 462-4491 International Breakfast $5US Lunch $8US & UP Dinner $10US & UP Le-Bistro French Hodges Bay Po. Box 390 pgbistro@candw.ag 462-3881 461-2996 French Appetizers $20EC-$45EC Lydia's Caribbean Seafood Restaurant Jolly Beach Resort Bolans Village PO. Box W2009 562-2445 562-2302 Sea Food US$30 & UP Mama Lolly's Vegetarian Café #9E Redcliff Quay PO. Box 348 maxicakes@hotmail.com 562-1552 562-1552 Vegetarian $12EC & UP Mid-East Fast Food & Café #8A Redcliff Quay mideastfastfood@ hotmail.com 562-3663 727-3663 Local, Lebanese $10EC-$25EC Millers By the Sea Fort James 462-9414 462-9591 Local, International $20EC & UP Natural N'Nyam Cross Street 562-0174 Vegetarian $12EC (S) $15EC(M) $20EC(L) Napoleon Café Redcliffe Quay 562-1820 Baguetttes, Salads, Sandwich $11EC & UP Nook Snack Bar St. Marys Street PO. Box 807 462-1158 562-0155 Pastries, Sandwich Meatballs $1.10 EC - $10.00 EC OJ's Bar & Restaurant Crabbe Hill 460-0184 462-8651 Local & Mainly International Sea Food-Fish Lobster $30EC-$70EC O Grady's Pub & Bar Redcliff Street 462-5392 Local & International $30EC & UP Palm Tree Barbuda 460-0517 Local, International Lobster Dinners(RSVP) $15EC-$30EC Paris Pizza & Steak House Tradewinds Po. Box 481 462-1501 461-1508 Pizzas & Steaks $20EC - $65EC Pit A Pocket Upper Nevis Street 562-4136 local $5EC-$20EC Philton's Bakery & Café Gambles Medical Centre Friars Hill Rd Benjies Mall 463-2253 462-9447 462-9447 Soups Pastry & Cakes Pastas $5 EC& Up $6EC & UP $24 EC Roti King St. Marys Street 462-2328 Roti's $12EC & UP $28 EC Shrimp Lunch Royal Castle High Street Po. Box 74 462-2987 462-6259 Chicken, Hamburgers $10EC & UP Russels Beach Bar Fort James 462-5479 Local $30EC Shirley Heights Lookout Shirleys Heights 460-1785 460-3490 Local, International Lunch $18EC Dinner $39EC Southern Cross Restaurant Yacht Club Marina English Harbour southcrossrest@candw.ag 460-1797 460-1797 Italian $50US & UP Southern Fry Restaurant & Bar Lower Market Street Old Paraham Road 462-2616 Fast Food $10EC & UP Sticky Wicket Restaurant and Bar Email: JMaginley@StanfordEagle.com www.thestickywicket.com For reservations, please call: 268.480.5270 General Manager: John Maginley 268.481.7000 Office 268.481.7010 The Beach Restaurant Dickenson Bay PO. Box 1745 thebeach@candw.ag www.bigbanana-antigua.com 480-6940 480-6943 World Class Menu Caribbean, Asian, European &American Diverse Wine Cellar $15EC-$70EC Turners Beach Restaurant Turners Beach Johnson's Point turnersbeach@msn.com 462-9133 560-8114 Local, International Specialized in Seafood $10US -$32US UTSAV Jolly Beach Resort Bolans Village Po. Box W2009 462-0061 562-2302 Indian Cuisine $30US & UP Kookkunst is een culinaire aangelegenheid. Het woord 'culinair' stamt af van het Latijnse woord culina, wat 'de kookkunst' of 'de keuken betreffende' betekent. Koken wordt dus enerzijds gezien als een kunst, een vak, een vorm van expressie en anderzijds is het een dagelijkse noodzakelijke bezigheid van miljarden mensen, die eenvoudig in de praktijk kan worden aangeleerd. Geschiedenis Koken, evenals andere bereidingswijzen van voedsel, had in prehistorische tijden als doel de tijd dat voedsel bewaard kon worden te vergroten. Smaakverbetering werd al snel een tweede doel. In de tijd van de Grieken ontstond koken als kunst. De Romeinen namen de Griekse beschaving over en met de invoer van een grote diversiteit aan producten uit alle delen van het rijk kwam de kookkunst tot bloei. Na de ondergang van het Romeinse Rijk, in de Middeleeuwen, lag de nadruk op het bereiden en eten van vlees en drinken van bier. Pas met de renaissance kwam er weer meer aandacht voor een gevarieerdere en verfijndere kookkunst. In de twintigste eeuw kwam de nadruk sterk op behoud van natuurlijke smaak, en op behoud van vitaminen en mineralen te liggen. De Franse kok Auguste Escoffier speelde hierin een grote rol. Ook werd voor verschillende voedingsstoffen de calorieën (verbrandingswaarde) vastgesteld. De trends volgen elkaar snel op: eerst was het versieren van het bord belangrijker dan wat men bereidde (en de hoeveelheid die werd opgediend). In de jaren negentig van de 20e eeuw waren Mediterraans koken, fusion (een mengsel van de Aziatische en Westerse keuken) en 'stapelen' (het stapelen van ingrediënten tot een torentje) erg in de mode, maar de roep naar gewoon goed en natuurlijk koken met de beste ingrediënten blijft sterker. Veel Europese landen hebben de invloeden van de oude koloniën 'overzee' verwerkt in hun keuken. Zo is in het Verenigd Koninkrijk de invloed van de Indiase keuken groot, in Nederland de Indische en Surinaamse keuken (en in toenemende mate de Turkse en Noord-Afrikaanse keuken) en in Frankrijk de Vietnamese keuken. De maaltijd Hoofdgerecht met rijst, gehaktballetjes en groente Een maaltijd kan uit een aantal gangen bestaan die men als programma afwerkt. Het totaal heet menu. Volgens de Drank- en horecawet bestaat een maaltijd uit minimaal drie warme componenten, te weten vlees, aardappelen en groente, die alle ter plaatse bereid moeten zijn. Bij thuisbereiding kan een uitgebreide maaltijd bijvoorbeeld bestaan uit soep, daarna een hoofdmaaltijd in de vorm van een vleesgerecht of visgerecht, en daarna een nagerecht. In een luxe restaurant bestaat een gastronomisch menu soms uit zeven gangen. Vooraf kan men een aperitief nemen, een (alcoholisch) drankje met een klein (hartig) hapje. Voorgerecht: soep, bouillon, hors d'oeuvre of cocktail Hoofdgerecht: casserole, barbecue, groente, vleesgerechten, visgerechten, wildgerechten, gevogelte, pastagerechten, rijstschotel, fondue, pannenkoek, raclette, maaltijdsalade, stamppot of een vegetarisch gerecht Sorbet: een ijsdrankje tussen de gangen door om de eetlust te stimuleren Bijgerecht: salade of compote Nagerecht: een vaak zoet gerecht om de maaltijd af te sluiten; pap, ijs, pudding, kaas of fruit Gerechten voor kinderen: kip, patat en appelmoes Broodje kroket Snacks Bijvoorbeeld: frites, kroket, frikadel, kaassouflé, nasibal of bitterballen. Dranken Voor een overzicht van dranken, klik hier. Gastronomie Onder Gastronomie wordt de professionele keuken verstaan. Kooktechnieken In de gastronomie is sprake van 14 basis-kooktechnieken. Hieronder een overzicht van de kooktechnieken: Blancheren Pocheren Koken Stomen Frituren Sauteren Grilleren Gratineren Bakken in de oven Bakken en braden Braiseren (smoren) Glaceren Poêleren Stoven Keukenpersoneel De keuken is, mede door de visie van de eerder genoemde Auguste Escoffier, onderverdeeld in verschillende afdelingen. Hiernaast een organisatieschema van een keuken. Een Chef de partie is verantwoordelijk over een gedeelte van de keuken. Hierbij heeft iedere chef de partie een eigen naam, waarbij meteen zijn afdeling duidelijk wordt: Chef-Saucier, voor sauzen, vlees, gevogelte en wild Chef-Rôtisseur, voor gerechten van/uit de grill, oven of frituur Chef-Entremetier, voor groenten, aardappelen, soepen, eiergerechten Chef-Poissonnier, voor vis Garde-manger, koude keuken Chef-Pâtissier, nagerechten, deeggerechten Chef-kok Hoofd van de keuken ---- Sous-chef Assistent van de chefkok ---- Chefs de parties Ieder verantwoordelijk voor een afdeling ---- Tournant Vervanger van de chef de partie ---- Commis Aankomend kok, werkt in opdracht van de chef de partie Keukengereedschap Apparatuur en gereedschappen die in een (professionele) keuken te vinden zijn: Au bain marie, heet-waterbad om gerechten in warm te houden Hete-luchtoven (of convectomaat), verhitten door hete wervelwind Magnetron (oven), verhitten door microgolven Salamander, voor gratineren Grill, om te grilleren Frituur, om in vet of olie te frituren Keukenmachine, om te hakken, snijden of mengen Snijplank, verschillende kleuren voor verschillende producten Koksmes, om op een snijplank te snijden Officemes, om mee 'in de hand' te snijden (appel schillen bijv.) Dunschiller, voor appels en aardappels Zestertrekker, om dunne reepjes van een sinaasappel of citroen te trekken Parisienneboor, om bolletjes aardappel of meloen te maken Aanzetstaal, om een mes aan te scherpen Koekenpan (of omeletpan), pan om in te bakken Sauteuse, pan om in te glaceren of stoven Casserole (of steelpan), pan om in te koken of stoven Lage marmiet, pan om grote hoeveelheden te koken of stoven Hoge marmiet, pan voor het trekken van bouillon Braadslede, pan om in de oven mee te braden Visketel, pan voor het koken en pocheren van vis
  • Antigua Government ANTIGUA & BARBUDA Antigua and Barbuda has a bicameral legislature: a 17-member Senate appointed by the governor general--mainly on the advice of the prime minister and the leader of the opposition--and a 17-member popularly elected House of Representatives. The prime minister is the leader of the majority party in the House and conducts affairs of state with the cabinet. The prime minister and the cabinet are responsible to the parliament. Elections must be held at least every five years, but may be called by the prime minister at any time. Antigua and Barbuda has a multiparty political system, with a long history of hard fought elections, two of which have resulted in peaceful changes of government. CURRENT GOVERNMENT Governor General Carlisle, James B. Prime Minister Bird, Lester Min. of Agriculture, Lands, & Fisheries Bird, Vere, Jr. Min. of Caricom & OECS Affairs Bird, Lester Min. of Defense Bird, Lester Min. of Education, Culture, & Technology Williams, Rodney Min. of External Affairs Bird, Lester Min. of Finance Bird, Lester Min. of Health & Social Improvement St. Luce, John Min. of Justice & Legal Affairs Bird, Lester Min. of Labor, Home Affairs, & Cooperatives Benjamin, Steadroy Min. of Legislature, Privatization, Printing, & Electoral Affairs Bird, Lester Min. of Planning, Implementation, & Public Service Browne, Gaston Min. of Public Utilities, Aviation, International & Local Transport, & Housing Yearwood, Robin Min. of Public Works, Sewage, Energy, Urban Development, & Renewal Bird, Lester Min. of Telecommunications & Gaming Bird, Lester Min. of Tourism & Environment Joseph, Molwyn Min. of Trade, Industry, & Business Development Humphreys, Hilroy Min. of Youth Empowerment, Sports, Community Development, & Carnival Yearwood, Guy Attorney General Cort, Errol Ambassador to the US Hurst, Lionel Permanent Representative to the UN, New York Lewis, Patrick
  • Antigua Information Click here for our L a t e s t S p e c i a l s! Talk to fellow travellers... Come visit our newsgroup for the latest info. All the signs pointed towards Antigua. The island had warm, steady winds, a complex coastline of safe harbors, and a protective, nearly unbroken wall of coral reef. It would make a perfect place to hide a fleet. And so in 1784 the legendary Admiral Horatio Nelson sailed to Antigua and established Great Britain's most important Caribbean base. Little did he know that over 200 years later the same unique characteristics that attracted the Royal Navy would transform Antigua and Barbuda in one of the Caribbean's premier tourist destinations. The signs are still there, they just point to different things. The Trade Winds that once blew British men-of-war safely into English Harbour now fuel one of the world's foremost maritime events, Sailing Week. The expansive, winding coastline that made Antigua difficult for outsiders to navigate is where today's trekkers encounter a tremendous wealth of secluded, powdery soft beaches. The coral reefs, once the bane of marauding enemy ships, now attract snorkelers and scuba divers from all over the world. And the fascinating little island of Barbuda -- once a scavenger's paradise because so many ships wrecked on its reefs -- is now home to one of the region's most significant bird sanctuaries. Location: Antigua (pronounced An-tee'ga) and Barbuda are located in the middle of the Leeward Islands in the Eastern Caribbean, roughly 17 degrees north of the equator. To the south are the islands of Montserrat and Guadaloupe, and to the north and west are Nevis, St. Kitts, St. Barts, and St. Martin. Size: Antigua, the largest of the English-speaking Leeward Islands, is about 14 miles long and 11 miles wide, encompassing 108 square miles. Its highest point is Boggy Peak (1319 ft.), located in the southwestern corner of the island. Barbuda, a flat coral island with an area of only 68 square miles, lies approximately 30 miles due north. The nation also includes the tiny (0.6 square mile) uninhabited island of Redonda, now a nature preserve. The current population for the nation is approximately 68,000 and its capital is St. John's on Antigua. Climate: Temperatures generally range from the mid-seventies in the winter to the mid-eighties in the summer. Annual rainfall averages only 45 inches, making it the sunniest of the Eastern Caribbean Islands, and the northeast trade winds are nearly constant, flagging only in September. Low humidity year-round. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- DOWNLOAD HERE YOUR FREE NEWSPAPER The latest news from Home, Metro in 17 Countries VERHUUR VAN UW [EIGEN] VAKANTIEWONING ACTIES HOME CONTACT ADVERTISING SEARCH ARCHIVE WEBLOG WEBMASTERS DISCLAIMER INTRO STLUCIA ANTIGUA BARBUDA TRAVEL TRAVELTIPS SPECIAL-OFFERS LASTMINUTES CRUISES MARRIAGE WEDDINGPLANS HURRICANES SHOP ARCHIVE NEWS SEARCH VOTE
  • Antigua Marriage More and more people are getting married while on vacation, and it's now easy to do in Antigua and Barbuda. Even cruise ship visitors can now get married. There are three simple steps: Visit the Ministry of Justice located on lower Nevis Street in downtown St. John's with your valid passports, complete the application and pay applicable fees. Confirm a date and time for the ceremony with a Marriage Officer, and ... Get married - Congratulations!! -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- What are the fees? First, there is a registration fee of US$40 that must be paid at the courthouse in the new government buildings on Queen Elizabeth Highway. The application fee for the special marriage license is US$150, and the Marriage Officer's fee is US$50. How about documents? What do we need? You both will need valid passports as proof of citizenship. If either of you have been previously married, then bring along the original divorce decree or, in the case of a widow or widower, the original marriage and death certificates. Are there any other legal requirements? Both parties must be over 15, if under 18, written authorization from your parents or guardians is required. It is important that all documents presented are original or certified original by the issuing departments or offices. Ensure that all documents are in your legal name, and provide affidavits in cases where you are known by another name. Your marriage must also be solemnized or celebrated in the presence of two or more witnesses, apart from the Marriage Officer. (Just ask a guest or two to do this for you). Is the marriage ceremony legal? Of course, it is both legal and binding. Additionally, consent must be expressed by both parties to accept each other as husband and wife. Can I be married in a church? Yes, but it requires the permission from the church authorities where you wish to be married. Have your pastor contact the church to establish the requirements. Some churches ask that the couple attend pre-nuptial consultations. Allow some extra time if planning a church ceremony. Where can I get a list of churches in Antigua? Contact the Antigua and Barbuda Department of Tourism for a list of churches on the island. Can my hotel assist with the arrangements? Certainly, as most hotels in Antigua and Barbuda offer wedding and honeymoon packages. Check with your travel agent or the Antigua and Barbuda Department of Tourism for more information. The Ministry of Legal Affairs is open Monday to Thursday, 8:30am to 4:30pm and on Fridays from 8:00am to 3:00pm. Flights which arrive into Antigua after 3:00pm will not permit couples to get to the Ministry of Justice in time to apply for the Special Marriage License. In such cases, the couple can arrange for the marriage to take place either the next day after completing the application process, or, on any available day thereafter. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Fantasy Brides2000 is a unique bridal service agency which specializes in organizing weddings in the Caribbean. We find exotic and extraordinary locations on the islands for your wedding ceremony. We will customize your wedding to your exact specifications, and make all the arrangements before you arrive. We secure Hotel accommodations and catering services...to ordering your flowers and marriage license....everything you need to make your wedding day perfect. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- PRESS RELEASE: MORE WEDDING WISHES NOW GRANTED AT ANTIGUA'S JOLLY BEACH RESORT -- New Wedding Package Offers More Than Ever For Same Price -- St. John’s, Antigua. Whether lovers are tying the knot for the first time or renewing their vows, individual attention, spectacular settings and excellent value all combine to make Jolly Beach Resort the perfect choice for a dream wedding. This all-inclusive resort’s Wedding Package now offers couples more than ever for the same great price, $595.00. There’s more: should family and friends come along, and (apart from the bridal couple) occupy five rooms for seven nights apiece, the wedding package is on the house. The Jolly Beach Wedding Package covers all the legal requirements, including a short trip into town to have the license issued, the fee for the license, the services of a marriage officer, witnesses if needed, and a Wedding Certificate valid in the U.S., Canada and the U.K among many others. There's a bouquet for the bride and a buttonhole for the groom, a Caribbean wedding cake, a tray of hors d’oeuvres and a bottle of champagne to toast the future. And effective March 2003 there’s a new feature: the hotel will e-mail a wedding photo provided by the happy couple and they’ll also get an announcement to their choice of 10 people and a hometown newspaper, plus two bottles of massage oils, a bottle of wine and an intimate, personally served dinner for two. Just for fun, Jolly Beach has thrown in a $50 voucher per couple for any Wadadli Cats cruise, two Jolly Beach logo mugs and “Just Married” shirts. Special features from still photography or a video, to a steel band, or a horse and carriage for the bride and groom can be arranged at additional cost. It's not hard to see why Jolly Beach is a popular choice for lovers from several continents. The property sits in 40 acres of gardens, boasting a one-mile stretch of pristine white sand beach, and offering a choice of two romantic gazebos for the perfect ceremony – one high above the huge fantasy pool looking out to sea, the other just steps away from the sand and surf. While these are the most-chosen sites, any desired location on the 40-acre property is easily accommodated. Wedding parties staying at Jolly Beach enjoy a wedding dinner, or a tropical reception at one of the resort’s five restaurants. There is no residency requirement to be married in Antigua, but the resort requires one working day prior to the ceremony to process necessary documents. Here’s what couples need to have: passports and birth certificates; if necessary, originals of a Decree Absolute for parties who are divorced, Death and Marriage Certificates in the case of a widow or widower, or Deed Poll in the case of a name change. A notarized affidavit of consent signed by both parents is required for anyone under the age of 18.
  • Antigua Prehistory PREHISTORY Prehistory is the story of a country before the advent of the written word describing that land. Columbus discovered Antigua on November 11, 1493, when he sighted an island to the east as he was sailing past Redonda and named the island he saw “Santa Maria la Antigua” meaning St. Mary the Old. History had then begun! AN UPDATE ON OUR PREHISTORY The prehistory of the Lesser Antilles has considerably changed over the last twenty years due to research made by the International Association for Caribbean Archaeology. Our prehistory may be divided into two periods, the Archaic and the Ceramic. We do not know the names of the first people living in the Eastern Caribbean Islands as there was no written word available in the west so far back in time as 3,000 years before the birth of Christ, the earliest known date of humankind in Antigua or Barbuda so far. We, in Antigua, have been calling these first people the “Siboney”. This is erroneous, as Archaic people by that name were only living in Cuba according to historic sources. The first people arrived in large oceangoing canoes either from Central America via the Greater Antilles or from South America. Neither direction has yet been proved one way or the other, though the former seems more likely. ARCHAIC PERIOD The Archaic people may be defined as a people whose economy was based on hunting, fishing and collecting wild resources, and organised themselves into small bands rather than settling in villages. They used the techniques of chipping and grinding to make tools of stone, bone, and shell, and indeed many of these artifacts have been found in Antigua and Barbuda and can be seen at the Museum. The oldest and most substantial sites of human occupation in Antigua are to be found at Twenty Hill, Parham (c.2900 BC) and at Jolly Beach (c.1775 BC). In Barbuda, ‘River,’ near the Martello Tower, has a known date of 1875 BC. The Archaic tribes of Amerindians lived in Antigua and Barbuda up to about 100 BC, and as the next period started some time before this, there was an overlapping of the two periods. CERAMIC PERIOD The next period of prehistory is known as the Ceramic Age starting in a minor way about 775 BC. These Amerindians arrived in canoes using the Caribbean Islands as stepping stones as they expanded into the Lesser Antilles. It was in the rivers and estuaries of what is today Venezuela, that the Amerindians had acquired their knowledge of boating and later, around Trinidad, the skills of the sea. As the name Ceramic Age suggests, the innovation in manufacturing techniques was the firing of the most practical and beautiful pottery, (see also photo above). They brought with them as well some measure of agriculture with the cassava root as their main staple. Being farmers they were more sedentary, thus village settlements were established for the first time. There are about one hundred and forty-nine prehistoric sites recorded for Antigua and Barbuda. Of these nineteen are in Barbuda. Seventeen sites in Antigua and Barbuda are aceramic, probably of the Archaic Period. Within the Ceramic Period, different groups of Amerindians are distinguished archaeologically through different styles of pottery. The first group was of Arawakan origin and much later, at about 1500 AD, it is thought, but not proved, that ‘Island Caribs’ worked their way up the islands. Materialistically, from historic records, and through archaeology, no difference can be found between the original and later people, except that styles of pottery change gradually in time. The later pottery is far less sophisticated and a possible religious symbolic artifact, the zemi, is less frequent. At the end of the prehistoric period it seems there were no homogenous Caribs, for in the missionary's dictionary mentioned above, we note the women spoke Arawakan and the men 'Island Carib', making a homogenous people, thus agreeing with archaeology there is little or no difference between them This brings Antigua and Barbuda’s prehistory up to historic times. To summarise: Date range Characteristics Language Period I ARCHAIC AGE c.3,000-250BC Hunting, fishing, collecting natural resources. Chipped stone, ground shell and stone tools Unknown Period II CERAMIC AGE c. 500BC-1500AD Agriculture, pottery making, settlements Ceramics, shell and stone. Arawakan Cariban AMERINDIAN WAY OF LIFE WELCOME TO WALADLI and WA'OMONI! If you had been a visitor to our islands not long before Columbus you would have travelled by canoe. The village elder would have sent a host to greet you. · On arriving at the large central house (carbet) of the village you would have been provided with a seat and tobacco, or a bed if you were old. · To show great friendship, you would have exchanged names with your hosts. · If you were special, you would have been given a feast at which all would have made merry with much cassava wine. · If unfolded cassava bread was given you , it would have meant you could have taken the leftovers along with you when you left! · You would have eaten in silence without drinking. Only one man spoke at a time, whilst listeners hummed if they had approved of his words. · Visitors were provided with special hammocks (hamaca) and a woman would have been given to paint your body with a natural paint (roucou) and dress your hair in the morning. FATHER BRETON'S DICTIONARY Father Breton was a missionary sent out from France to Guadeloupe about 1628 and later to Dominica in an attempt to convert the Island Caribs into Christians. He was unlucky in this task, but we are fortunate, as he wrote a Carib/French dictionary thus enabling future missionaries to carry on his work. This book, available for inspection in the museum, is absolutely invaluable to those that study the prehistory of our islands. It records the lifestyle of the last prehistoric people of the Lesser Antilles. Here is the book from which we learn that Antigua's Island Amerindian name was OUALADLI and Barbuda's OUA'OMONI (French orthography). Some of Breton's entries are very picturesque, take for instance the Amerindian for little red ants: Haiuachel - These ants are the smallest but the most troublesome and are found everywhere, in rooms, in chests, in food-safes, in jams, in hay and often enough they penetrate into the most secret places, where they bite so promptly and lively, in whose company you may be, and before you can think, the bite makes you commit an incivility that creates the laughter of those present, but who well know the mystery! WE LIVE IN WALADLI When Columbus was near Redonda on November 11, 1593, he sighted the island theAmerindians called “WALADLI” and named it “Santa Maria la Antigua” after a miracle working Virgin shrine in a chapel of Seville Cathedral, Spain. The Amerindian name of “Waladli” (since changed by modern Antiguans to “WADADLI” by the band in 1979) was found in a French missionary's Amerindian dictionary that can now be inspected at the Museum. Since we speak English the spelling has been changed from the French orthography to English, as can be seen in the accompanying illustration. The prehistoric name for Barbuda was “WA'OMONI” and Redonda “OCANAMANROU”. According to the writings of Ferdinand Columbus, the son of Christopher, the earlier name of Antigua used by the Arawakan speaking people was YARUMAQUI. This word is believed to be derived from “Yaruma”, a plant from which canoes and rafts were made and “Qui” an island. AMERINDIAN APPEARANCE The Amerindians, that we know as the Arawaks and Caribs, at the time of European contact were of good stature, well proportioned, strong and robust. Their natural colour was a very bronzed olive. The Amerindians never wore clothes; they sometimes wore a belt that hung in front with windings attached to the men's private parts. The women wore a cotton band four fingers wide. Sometimes the unmarried women wore a skirt or apron. HAIR - The hair was worn long with a fringe near the eyebrows. A parting was made across the head from temple to temple, leaving two small moustaches over the temples. Before the Amerindians travelled, the women combed the men's hair and greased it with oil to make it shine and look blacker. Coloured feathers were sometimes stuck into the bundled hair. At the back, their long black hair fell freely in graceful negligence. Slaves were not allowed to wear long hair. FACE - Often the forehead was flattened for good looks. Carib babies had their head flattened with boards or cushions or by the mother placing her hand and elbow on the head and sleeping on them. Ear-disks made from modified fish vertebrae were worn in the lobes of the ears. ADORNMENT - Necklaces were made of seashells and with transparent fish bones. Often wings of various birds were worn around the neck, which they let dangle over their shoulders and over their bellies. Other times a whistle made from the bones of their enemies hung around the neck. At the feet little bells of seashell were worn to ring while dancing and the women wore a little sash with bells attached. The rattle of snail shells accompanied dances on strings that dancers wore around their arms, hips, calves and heels. BODY PAINTING - Every day Amerindians reddened their bodies with a mixture of roucou and castor oil. It was believed this would please their enemies and that they would have nothing to fear if they took this precaution. After painting their husband's body with roucou the wife wiped her hands on her leggings to stiffen them. For fine black paint to be used for facial painting, gum was burnt from the root of the gum tree. Men often stood for twelve hours while his wife drew curves and lines from shoulders to buttocks. She also covered the back, arms and chest with fanciful lines, which were not unpleasant to look at. This decoration was made for warfare and for feasts. THE FIRST HOUSES The first people that came to Antigua built no houses, for the Archaic people roamed from place to place looking for their life sustaining natural resources. Later when the Arawakan-speaking people arrived at about the time of Christ, they brought horticulture to Antigua and Barbuda for the first time. To tend their cassava crops it became necessary to settle. That was when houses and villages were first built in Antigua. According to the first missionaries and to the results of archaeological excavations, Arawakan houses were round and measured about 12 feet across. Roofs were supported by a strong central post about 25ft high. This great height was necessary to make their roofs of thatch waterproof, for rainwater was able to run off fast with so steep a roof. Balanced atop the house within the extensions of the roof poles was a large rock. This was supposed to bring luck to the inhabitants of the house. The Amerindians invented the hammock, which name is derived from the Arawakan word, 'hamaca'. Hammocks were slung from the central post to the round surrounding wall. AMERINDIAN RELIGION The basic Amerindian belief was animistic, which means that all objects and even the universe itself possessed personalities, souls or spirits. Some objects harboured GOOD spirits, while others possessed EVIL spirits. The world crowded with spirits was terrifying to the Amerindians. Their life was spent trying to gain the goodwill of these spirits. There were three main Gods of the Arawakan-speaking peoples. Yocahu was the supreme god, the God of Cassava. Atabeyra the Goddess of Fertility and Childbirth and Opiyel Wa'obiran was the Guardian of the spirits of the dead. This latter God usually took the form of a dog. A beautifully carved dog's head made from a Fighting Conch shell was found at Freetown in the 1960's. Benevolent spirits were believed to have resided in Zemies. These were images made of stone, shell, coral, cotton or ceramics. Zemies controlled and influenced daily activities. They favoured crop growing, hunting and fishing. Shamans or Medicine men worked with the supernatural as both priest and doctor. These men were able to influence powerful spirits. Tobacco was used as a narcotic with which they intimately conversed with the Gods. A leaf was dried by fire and crumpled into a powder. This was mixed with white ash and seawater, dampened and placed between lip and gum. At the Museum there are examples of pottery 'incense burners' found in the various village sites of Antigua & Barbuda in which Cahoba, a narcotic plant of the Mimosa family was burned. Drawings were carved into rock at special places, as at bathing places or cave shelters. They were intended to guard against evil spirits. A petroglyph is the present day term for a rock drawing. The only known petroglyph of Antigua and Barbuda is to be found in a cave in Barbuda. AMERINDIAN ART - was religious art designs warded off evil spirits and appealed to benevolent ones. Their pottery was very elegant, with decoration flowing with graceful lines. It is marvellous to think the Amerindians, who lived on our islands from about the time of Christ for about 1,500 years, had only flint, stone or shell tools to work with. They were a people with time on their hands, and took pride and pleasure in making beautiful things. At the Museum, a folder showing various designs found on pottery may be obtained. These designs can be used in modern day handcrafts. It is so much better to use our own native motifs rather than designs from Hoboken, Honolulu or Haifa! Look at these - They are part of the brochure obtainable at the Museum: EARLY WEST INDIAN ART DESIGNS Mostly from Antigua & Barbuda AMERINDIAN DANCES Dances took place during feasts and drinking sprees. The musical instruments used were flutes and drums. Many of the Amerindian dances imitated animals and birds. One of the South American Arawak dances was the 'Humming Bird'. It probably took the form of a darting to and fro. Dances differed in each tribe or family. In some, the body was moved in a slow and stately manner, with the head held in a grotesque position. Men stood in a long line with their arms linked and the women opposite, likewise. The lines then advanced and retreated, all the time singing a monotonous chant, with each individual stamping hard upon the ground. Occasionally they break up to drink and then resume the same dance. Sometimes a man and a women would get together and link arms and strut about slowly together, bending their bodies forward and backward, this side and that, very grotesquely. Dances always ended with a loud and discordant uproar, which was a signal for renewed drinking. One particular tribe danced with each dancer representing a different animal. Each held a stick with an image of their animal on the end. One dancer would imitate a wild animal and pounce on another dancer to take him out of the ring. In the end, he would be alone to finish the dance. A dance of the Warrau tribe was described by the early missionaries as follows: When the cassava was ripe, the men went to catch crabs and the women made a special kind of cassava cake. When the men returned there was a feast. A young man and woman was placed in a circle separated by an arrow pushed in the ground with a doll stuck on it. The man locked his fingers together on his stomach and the woman likewise, on her apron. The dance consisted of a few single steps on the spot, different for man and woman. Both then stared at each other in the face, without any movement whatsoever of the mouth and eyes. The slightest sign of laughter disqualified either one. The offender was bundled out of the ring and the crowd shouted, 'That man/woman is no good. He/she will never get a wife/husband!'. FOOD - AND HOW IT WAS COOKED Mainly fishermen, the Amerindians we know as the Caribs and Arawaks, geared their lives to the bounty of the land and sea. FOOD GATHERING METHODS - Digging sticks were used for planting gardens and fire was used for forest clearance. Line fishing was carried out with shell and turtle shell hooks. The thread was made from pineapple, dagger tree and other fibres. Fish were shot with the bow and arrow from the rocks and then retrieved by diving. They were often inebriated first using a certain beaten up bark of a tree( Piscidia sp.) Nets were made of palm fibre or cotton. Rocks were taken to dive for lobsters and for conchs. Turtles were caught by slipping a cord around their flippers and by harpooning. Crabs were searched for at night by using torches made from Torchwood. Pelicans and kingfishers were tamed to fish for them. Hunted were: Rice-rat, birds, iguana, snakes, worms, insects, spiders. Birds were shot with an arrow with a wad of cotton on the end instead of a sharp head. Birds were trapped in small traps and also by a strong glue from resins. Parrots were gassed from fires lit under trees in which gum, green pimentos or peppers were burnt. COOKING METHODS - Food was often roasted on a boucan, from which we get the word 'barbecue'. Food was also roasted in the embers of a fire. The ash formed a jacket that was later scraped off. Sometimes roasts were wrapped in clay and placed straight in the fire. When the clay was broken open, feathers or scales came with it. Boiling was not so common except for crabs. Crabs were cooked in a pot with little water and much red pepper, the whole being covered with leaves. Fish, half gutted and with scales left on, were also cooked this way. No salt was ever used. CASSAVA - This root vegetable (Manihot esculentas) was the main staple of the Amerindians. The Cassava plant grows easily, but is a factor of soil degradation. This is probably the reason why the Amerindians moved slowly up the Lesser Antillean chain when they left South America at about the time of Christ. Cassava kept and travelled well in ocean-going canoes. After processing, it produced flour, bread loaf (6 ins thick) and several other varieties, a sauce called cassareep and a wine. As a vegetable it was light on the stomach. It was cooked over a fire on a griddle. PROTEIN - Agouti (Dasyprocta aguti) was a dark brown rodent that lived in Antigua about the size of a rabbit, and was introduced from South America. Agouti were hunted by non-barking dogs. It was kept for a day as it was too gamy, then it was salted, smoked and boiled in cassava juice for a long time to tenderise it. The guinea pig (Cavia porcellus) was another mammal occasionally used as food. Larger birds, like Terns, had their wings cut half off and were turned in the fire to burn off the feathers. They were then left on a grill to smoke. Small birds were wrapped in leaves to cook slowly. The outer skin was peeled off and the guts taken out. They were eaten without a sauce. Sometimes small birds were boiled in cassava juice with peppers, they had been smoke-cured, then drawn and feathered. Flamingos and parrots were aboriginally present in Antigua and were prized for their flesh and colourful feathers. Fish was boiled in fresh water, often half cleaned without being scaled. It was sometimes roasted on a spit. Fish was seasoned with peppers. Sea food was kept alive in corrals until needed, this was a common food storage method. Crabs were a delicacy. Many different species of crabs and shellfish have been found archaeologically in kitchen middens (garbage dumps). Conch and whelks appear to be the commonest in most village sites. THE PEPPER POT was called Tomali (Toma= Sauce, ali= clay pot). This method of cooking was a ingenious type of food storage. A rich brown pungent sauce was made by boiling any or all of the following available items:- fish heads, bones of fish, agouti, rice rat (Oryzomys spp.), iguana, birds, monkey, seashells (chip-chips, oysters, whelks) into a deep clay fire pot with peppers, sweet potatoes, cassava juice and fine cassava flour. Cassava bread and other meats were dipped into this stew. It was boiled continuously and added to next day. Father Breton noted that it was rather unhygienic (even by 17th century standards!) as often roucou (body paint) and old women's hair was always found in pepper pots. VEGETABLES and FRUITS - Maize (corn) was roasted on coal and maize cakes, Kayzu, were made by boiling. Green maize soup was also made. Other vegetables were:- Yams Kuchu, beans Mankonti arrowroot baked, Carib Cabbage Taya was used as a seasoning. Peanuts were eaten with cassava. Some fruits were the pineapple, introduced from South America and the native coco plum (Chrysobalanus icaca L.) Native seaside grapes and the fruits of the prickly pear cactus were also eaten as well as many other introduced plants as avocado, soursop, guava, paw-paw and mamey. DELICACIES - Delicacies were raw fish eyes and the entrails of the sea-cucumber were sucked out. If food was short, these holothurians were rubbed in the ashes of a fire to rid them of their slime and then cooked. Another delicacy was lice, particularly those from the heads of their enemies, these were rolled between the teeth for a quarter of an hour to savour. Toads (houa), snakes, worms and insects were also eaten. The Amerindian thus exploited natural resources to the maximum. They were very fond of honey. BEVERAGES - The main alcoholic drink was cassava wine, Wi'ku. This was a heady drink made from cassava and sweet potatoes fermented in syrup and water. 'Gossiping old women' chewed and spat out the cassava which was fermented in pots. A beer was made from maize Pallino, and pressed pineapples were used. The juice was probably left to ferment as a wine. A soft drink was honey and water Maba, and another was made from the cooked roots of the Carib Cabbage. An unknown plant called Karratas was used to make a drink to quench the thirst when far from water. During the European contact period, the Caribs pounded sugar cane in a pestle and boiled it to make a drink. RECIPES - Tacallalaca - Throw into a pot the bones of a fish just eaten, add handfuls of red pepper, cassava water and very fine cassava flour and a few pieces of crab; stirring the whole with a flat-ended stick. Hot sauce - Make from boiled cassareep juice and squashed pimento. Limejuice was included after European contact. Plants played an essential part in the daily social and economic life of the early islanders. A plant-based culture provided the early people with food, utensils, ornaments and drugs in fact materials of all kinds. To say the least, Antigua & Barbuda's environment was fully exploited. The early islanders brought with them from South America their principal useful plants, without which they would have had to rely on the scarce resources of the natural flora and fauna of the Lesser Antillean Islands. AMERINDIAN BOATS Early boats of Antigua were hollowed out tree trunks and may have been given extra freeboard by adding planks on either side. Arawakan speaking Amerindians that appeared from South America made these boats. Firstly, a large tree was chosen and fire was set around the base to kill it. Then it was left standing for a year or so to season. A favourite boat-building village was probably on the hill east of Monk’s Hill where the cell phone antenna is today. We know this because many conch-shell hand adzes, flint tools and pottery have been found at that spot. According to the missionaries, these adzes were used in conjunction with fire to hollow out the tree trunks. The trees were chosen from the interior of Antigua behind the hill, cut down and hollowed on the spot. Then a team of men dragged the bare hull to the village for finishing. It would have been an easy matter to take the canoes to Falmouth Harbour, as the canoes were literally slipped down the side of the steep hill to the water for launching. Canoes were the automobiles of the early people. They were used for communications around the coasts, fishing and even inter-island trade, proof of which has been determined archaeologically. THE ORIGIN OF SAIL - It is thought sail was not used until after 1605. In this year, three Spanish Galleys were wrecked on Guadeloupe and the Caribs murdered all the crews. One friar, a certain Father Blasius from the Low Countries, was spared as he had shown the Indians how to make sails out of the linen cloth that had been a part of the ships’ cargo. He showed them how to make a fore and aft spritsail (common in the Low Countries), the innovation pleased the Caribs as the sails had saved them much labour. Incidentally, Father Blasius made his escape by using one of his sails one night when he saw a British merchantman the “Henry Challons” approaching the lee of Guadeloupe. From that time on, sail was reported in the Caribbean in historical records, and until recently, the Carib Canoes of the Eastern Caribbean used the same sprit rig, utilising flour sacks sewed together as sail cloth. CARIB SEA LORE from a Carib/French Dictionary published in 1660 by Father Breton. During canoe building, if a woman had touched the boat with but the end of her finger, the Caribs believed the canoe would split and be leaky. The word for the Master of the Canoe and for the calabash bailer is almost the same as the skipper bailed throughout the voyage. The word “to voyage” literally means “to loot on water” or to raid. The tiller was always left unworked or unfashioned , otherwise it would not guide the boat well at sea. The crew sometimes wore a woven hat of cachibou leaves called a bakoua to protect from the sun and the sea. The Caribs had a word which meant, “I wish the wind and waves would take us and push us from the stern!” When they saw a dirty looking squall approaching, they would blow into their hands saying Piom, which means “Go far away!” At the end of a voyage, the canoe was pulled up on rollers and the word is the same as horse, cart, and wheels. It even alluded to women as they make men “go along”. JOLLY BEACH The Amerindian Jolly Beach site belongs to the earliest age of human settlement in Antigua and Barbuda and is the best-known complete habitation site of the archaic age. Two radiocarbon dates of 1,775 and 1,589 BC show the site was occupied about 3,500 to 4,000 years ago. By the archaic age we mean the people's technology had not reached the stage of pottery making or even the practice of agriculture. The Jolly Beach people had lived simply off marine resources and various native plants. Their tools were made of volcanic stone, flint, shell and wood. Tools excavated archaeologically include hand tools or chisels formed by the grinding of thick conch shell lips, ground stone axes or celts for making canoes, pestles for preparing food, flint blades for cutting and scraping, and simple beads and pendants. The Jolly Beach site is situated between two small hills east of the hotel gate. On the eastern part of the site a large house has already been built. Unfortunately there is no legislation to preserve our historic sites so that future Antiguan archaeologists may study them. When the site was originally occupied some 3,500 years ago, it would have been a peninsula, as sea levels were about 10 ft. higher than today. The rocky area on which the supermarket is situated was at the end of the peninsula. Indeed at the end, there is a cave water worn by the sea in former times. The Jolly Beach people may have originally come from South America, as similar tools have been found there. They have also been collected at Ortoire in Trinidad; hence archaeologists call the Jolly Beach site 'Ortoiroid'. We have no idea of the name of the tribe that lived there or the name of the language they spoke, unlike the later Tainos and Island Caribs who were observed by the European missionaries and explorers. Ceramic Period INDIAN CREEK The Indian Creek village site can be found about half a mile up the Indian Creek inlet on the south-east of Antigua. The Amerindian village site is an internationally known prehistoric archaeological site and is the most important on Antigua. Just before the time of Christ, maritime Arawakan speaking people arrived by canoe from South America. These agricultural people cleared the valley to grow their main staple ,cassava. Their life was sustained by the many different types of natural resources to be found from the mangroves, the creek and the sea. Arawak art was of high aesthetic quality and their agronomy was most productive in the Caribbean’s ancient world. The settlement, whose population was about 50, lasted until about 1200 AD. ADORNO FROM THE RIM OF A VESSEL MODELED FROG ON VESSEL WALL In 1973, Yale University made several excavations, where workers unearthed middens (garbage dumps) on this site where Arawak chiefs and shamans had apparently lived, bringing to light long buried religious artifacts so that the Historical Society could continue reconstructing the religious practices begun by earlier work. Only about 1% of the site was excavated; the idea being that the rest should be left for future Antiguan archaeologists and for when better and more advanced method will be developed. Development - We believe this site would make an interesting eco-tourism attraction. Amerindian houses are simple to build. Three full sized ones would make the site come alive. One house would be a museum showing the many artifacts that have been found there, another for facilities and the other for a caretaker and guide/lecturer. The interiors of the latter two would be modern. INTERNATIONAL REFERENCES JONES, ALICK 1978 Dietary Changes of the Arawaks at Indian Creek, Antigua. Am. Antiquity,Vol.50:3 913.031'155'Z5 OLSEN, FRED 1974 Indian Creek: Arawak Site on Antigua, West Indies. Norman: Univ. of Oklahoma Press. 972.974'004' OLSEN, FRED 1974 On the Trail of the Arawaks Univ. of Oklahoma Press, 408pp. 970.3 ROUSE, I.& FABER MORSE BIRGIT 1999 Excavations at the Indian Creek Site, Antigua, West Indies Yale University Pubs in Anthro.No.82 1999,70 pp. 972.974'004' STEADMAN 1980 Faunal Remains from Indian Creek. .See also Z2 Unpublished 913.031'155' Z2 GOVERNMENT MAP, PLAN n.d. Plan of Piccadilly Lands at Indian Creek, with owners. Unpublished 972. 974 I2 Information from the Museum of Antigua & Barbuda ROYALL'S This is an early ceramic period village site (Saladoid), about the same period as Indian Creek. The earliest carbon date attained so far for the site is 300 AD. It site is situated on the north coast of Antigua and discovered in 1998 by John E. Fuller, when being developed for modern housing. Many beautiful pottery sherds have been found as well as a large quantity of beads, both finished and unfinished, manufactured from semi-precious stone. There was some archaeological research carried out by Dr. Reg Murphy and the Calgary Archaeological Summer in 1998. POTTERY excavated by the Antigua Calgary Summer Archaeological School. Top & bottom rows: Reconstructed ceramic bowls. Middle row: Rim adornos MILL REEF From about 400 A.D. agricultural Amerindians from South America built a permanent village within the today’s Mill Reef Club property. They lived here for about 600 years, depending on sustenance from natural resources readily available from the coral reefs and small islands of the area, as well as the fertile valleys behind the shoreline. The village was placed near a small hypothetical stream and in a sheltered position behind a low ridge parallel to the sea.The stream gave rise to the name of the site as the “Brook”. First Archaeology - Dr. Fred Olsen, Dr. Irving Rouse of Yale and Robertson ‘Happy’ Ward, assisted by Mill Reef Club members, commenced the first scientific archaeological excavations in Antigua in December 1958. It is estimated that over one hundred thousand sherds were collected. Subsequently the best artifacts were displayed in the old mill tower museum at the Mill Reef gate. Most of the artifacts are now housed at the Museum of Antigua and Barbuda. Perhaps the most interesting find, uncovered through careful excavation, was a pair of large green stone celts or axes found in association with ash. A charred house posthole was also located, so it was assumed the hafted celts were consumed in a burned down house. Radiocarbon dates from the ash gave a reading of about 550 A.D. Today, archaeologists refer to Mill Reef as a “type site”. Its style of pottery is indicative of the middle period of Antiguan prehistory, 500 - 900 A.D. For decoration, white painted bands on a red background were applied by brush. This form of painting followed the earlier Indian Creek style, in which the pottery was painted overall with a white colour and then rubbed off to form the design. MAMORA BAY At Mamora Bay there is an Amerindian village site important to the archaeology of Antigua. It is a type site, that is to say the broadline incised decoration of its pottery is an attribute to a particular style. This was first found at Mamora Bay by Dr. Fred Olsen about 1960, so it is known as the Mamora Bay Style or Complex. Having been dated (c. 900 - 1200 AD), we can thus date other Antiguan sites that possess that style of ceramics. Other sites that exhibit the style are at Emerald Cove, Indian Creek, Blackman's, Coconut Hall, Jumby Bay and Hawksbill. The site was explored by Dr. Charles Hoffman of the University of Florida in 1962, who first described the ceramic style. When the Mamora Bay Hotel was built on the peninsula in 1963, several burials were found, the bodies having been put to rest in a squatting position. Several hotels have since been built on the site; development has taken place without any scientific archaeological excavation. Much of our prehistoric heritage has been developed over by hotels. Locations that were prized by the Indians are also prized by today's developers! Unfortunately there is no Development Control in this regard ... A note on the characteristics of the Mamora Bay style: Rather thick walled hemispherical shaped vessels often decorated with a special design made with a curvilinear broadline incision. There are no handles or modelled incised and tabular lugs. The scratching of surfaces continues, as well as the appearance of three-pointed stones or zemis. Absent is white-on-red painting, also handles disappear. 'Troumassoid' influences include: Wedge shaped lugs on a triangular rim and red painted ridges within rims. (Rouse). GREENCASTLE HILL HISTORY This 565 ft. hill was once an isolated volcano, which was later exposed to wave action, so that an array of close-fitting rhomboidal and polygonal columns was formed. These stone features include the 'megaliths' and 'sacrificial slabs' which are considered by some authorities as the remains of a prehistoric astronomical observatory and temple. It was here that scenes of religious ceremonies and phallic worship were perhaps centered. Indeed pottery sherds of the Arawakan speaking Indians have been unearthed on the western side. It is here that scenes of religious ceremonies and phallic worship were perhaps centered. If this were so, what a wonderful addition to our tourism product this historical resource could make! A more contemporary feature is the grave of the Earl Baldwin of Bewdley, Governor of the Leeward Islands, 1948 - 1950, and son of Oliver Baldwin, a one time Prime Minister of Great Britain. An open-air study of nature and a beautiful view of fair Antigua would also be obtained if this historic heritage site was made a special tourist attraction. An interesting and informative nature trail should be designed covering the better-known megaliths. These include remains of stone circles, altars, and, with the megaliths, which all suggest the hill was once an astronomical outlay for the measurement of time. Some of the megaliths have been called the Chair Rock, Phallic Rock, West Turning Rock and the Tomb. Greencastle Hill is a very important heritage site and well known internationally. The most provocative publication is a report by a researcher from Trinidad, Dr. Maura Imbert some of which was published in “Caribbean Beat” , BWIA’s flight magazine. The Professor inferred that that there is some correlation between the ancient megaliths of Greencastle and other ancient sites in the world, including Stonehenge. Other authors have been Charlesworth Ross, (1962), Hajji Dawud in the Caribbean Conservation Association News, (1971) and Dr. Fred Olsen of Mill Reef (1973). There was also an article in the New York Times in 1971 entitled “Antigua’s Tropical Stonehenge”. At this point in time, it is safe to state that the existence of a 'Tropical Stonehenge' or perhaps a temple dedicated to the Pleiades) on Greencastle Hill during the period 500-1250 A.D. is well within the bounds of possibility! For further reading in a more technical vein see: “Is There a Tropical Stonehenge on Greencastle Hill?”, by Dr. Imbert, in the Historical and Archaeological Society Newsletter No. 75, Oct. 2001, page 5. Obtainable from the Museum of Antigua & Barbuda.
  • Antigua Sailing The coasts of Antigua are ideal for yacht cruising and racing, with constant trade-winds, and many harbours for exploration. Easily a week could be spent cruising around this picturesque island of the Caribbean. The sister island of Barbuda has shell laden beaches so long that they dip below the horizon. There are good airline connections with North America and Europe and Antigua is centrally situated for Caribbean cruising. English Harbour and Jolly Harbour make ideal yacht headquarters. For English Harbour's fine facilities, see the following site: Nelson's Dockyard. The main events of 2005 will be: Starting April 14: CLASSIC YACHT REGATTA, hosted by the Antigua Yacht Club. For further information and 2004 results, see their website at www.antiguaclassics.com. For entries please request from Classic Yacht Regatta c/o Antigua Yacht Club, PO Box 103 St Johns, Antigua April 24 - April 30: ANTIGUA SAILING WEEK This has become one of the top three regattas of the world. It is run under the auspices of the Antigua Hotels and Tourist Association. For further information and 2004 results, see their website at www.sailingweek.com. ANTIGUA YACHT SHOW, operated by V.E.B. Nicholson & Sons. Other events of the year organized by the Antigua Yacht Club are the annual High Tide Series, Green Island Race, informal Round-the-Island-Race and the 'after work' Thursday afternoon races for all-comers. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Antigua Charter Yacht Show The Yacht Show is organised and operated by V.E.B. Nicholson & Sons (Antigua Ltd). It takes place during the first week of December each year. This will be the 38th year this firm has invited agents from all over the world to inspect large charter yachts that have sailed from North America and Europe. A Marine Trades Show is also organised by the Marine Trades Association. Some of the events are: Inspection of yachts by agents for the upcoming charter season Marine Trades Exposition Lectures & slideshows Luncheon & cocktail parties (by invitation) Beating of the Retreat by the Royal Antiguan Police Force -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Zeilen (zeevaart) Zeilen is een techniek van voortbeweging door windkracht op een zeilschip, zeilboot, of surfplank over het water, met een zeilkar over land of met een ijszeiler over het ijs. Hierbij wordt gebruik gemaakt van de kracht van de wind die direct voortstuwend bij voor-de-windse koersen, of volgens het principe van Bernoulli bij aan-de-windse koersen op het zeil inwerkt. Vroeger kende men alleen de directe voorstuwing door de wind, waartoe men een zeil gebruikte in de vorm van een vierkante lap, die met behulp van een dwarshout of ra aan de top van de mast werd opgehangen. Zo'n tuig heet vierkante tuigage en van het schip zegt men dat het dwarsgetuigd is. Later ontwikkelde men tuig dat de zeilen meer bewegingsvrijheid geeft ten opzichte van de mast (langsscheepse tuigage) en waarmee het schip ook in aan-de-windse koersen kan varen. Alleen de windrichtingen die in de dode hoek liggen blijven onbezeilbaar. Zeiltechniek Werking van het zeil Als de wind van achter komt, drukt de wind in de holte van het zeil en geeft dus een voortstuwende kracht. Komt de wind van opzij, dan zorgt de juiste stand van het zeil en de constuctie van het schip dat de verplaatsing van het schip voornamelijk voorwaarts is met een geringe zijdelingse drift. Ook hierbij wordt de direct stuwende kracht van de wind benut. Maar als de wind van voren komt, kan het zeil zo gesteld worden dat de lucht langs de beide kanten van het zeil stroomt. De zeiler stelt de zeilen zo dat bij iedere vaarrichting (koers) de lucht zonder turbulenties (zie laminaire stroming) langs de zeilen kan stromen. Hierdoor ontstaat aan de bolle kant onderdruk, omdat de lucht daar een langere weg moet afleggen en dus een grotere snelheid krijgt. Aan de windkant (holle kant) is de snelheid van de langstromende wind lager, waardoor in dat gebied de druk hoger is. Zie principe van Bernoulli. Het zeil ondervindt dus een druk loodrecht op haar opppervlak. Dit verklaart waarom een zeilschip schuin tegen de wind in kan varen. Bij een turbulente luchtstroming is de kracht die op het zeil inwerkt kleiner omdat de onderdruk veel kleiner is. Dit is haast niet te voorkomen wanneer we een ruime of voordewindse koers varen. Naast de invloed van de wind op het zeil, werken er nog andere krachten in op de boot zoals de remmende kracht van het water. De uiteindelijke koers is de resultante van al deze krachten. Een kiel of zwaard zorgt ervoor dat de zeilboot niet te veel opzij (zie drift of verlijeren) wordt geblazen door de wind. Koersveranderingen Omdat een zeilschip niet altijd in de zelfde richting vaart zijn koersveranderingen nodig. oploeven afvallen wenden halzen Iedere koers vraagt om zijn eigen optimale stand van de zeilen; daarom moet de stand van de zeilen aangepast worden bij een koersverandering. aanhalen vieren overstag gaan gijpen Termen: zeilen In de wereld van de zeilvaart worden allerlei termen gebruikt om de zaken die van belang zijn voor het veilig varen goed te kunnen benoemen. Zie ook het artikel over Scheepsterminologie. bakboord stuurboord aan de wind in de wind dode hoek halve wind ruime wind voor de wind hogerwal lagerwal Deze termen worden ook bij windsurfen gebruikt. Termen: tuigage val schoot zeilen grootzeil fok genua kluiver spinnaker halfwinder verstaging Gebruik van zeilschepen Zowel recreatief als competitief wordt er over de hele wereld gezeild. In bepaalde streken heeft de zeilvaart nog een commerciële functie. Dit betreft dan met name streken in de derde wereld, waar het gebruik van benzinemotoren om financiële redenen niet mogelijk is. Motorvaart heeft de beroepszeilvaart vrijwel geheel verdrongen, zeilschepen zijn te langzaam, te moeilijk te hanteren en vooral te veel afhankelijk van de weersomstandigheden. Recreatief zeilen In Nederland wordt op vele plaatsen gebruik gemaakt van het alom aanwezige water voor het zeilen. Overal waar een wat groter wateroppervlak is, kun je zeilende schepen vinden. De kleine bootjes aan de rand en op de kleinere plassen, de grote schepen op zee, op het IJsselmeer en in de Zeeuwse wateren. Bootjes zijn er in vele maten beschikbaar, van de kleinste piraatjolletjes en zeilkano's, geschikt voor één niet al te zwaar persoon, tot de grote zeilschepen als de 'Oosterschelde', of de 'Stad Amsterdam'. Zeilen is zeer goed mogelijk vanaf jonge leeftijd, men kan leren zeilen op zeilkamp of op een waterplas in de buurt. Bovendien kan men blijven zeilen tot op late leeftijd. Kleine 'scheepjes' zijn al beschikbaar vanaf een paar honderd euro. . Wedstrijdzeilen De grootste wedstrijden in de zeilsport zijn de Volvo Ocean Race (voorheen Whitbread Race Around the World) en de Americas Cup. Deze wedstrijden zijn uitermate spectaculair en worden in grote zeilboten gevaren. Van een heel ander kaliber is het zeilen op de Olympische spelen. In een aantal Olympische klassen vinden daar ook wedstrijden plaats. Verder zijn er in vrijwel alle klassen wedstrijden op regionaal en/of nationaal niveau. Bijzonder zijn de wedstrijden in Friesland met skûtsjes, traditionele vrachtschepen uit het begin van de 20e eeuw. Een bekende zeilrace in Nederland is de Ronde Om Texel, een wedstrijd om het eiland Texel. Het is het grootste open Catamaran evenement in de wereld, met 500 tot 700 deelnemende boten.
  • Antigua Scuba Diving Both Antigua and Barbuda are almost completely surrounded by well-preserved coral reefs, walls, and shipwrecks. The southern and eastern coasts of Antigua and virtually the entire coast of Barbuda are surrounded by shelfs, providing excellent conditions for spectacular shallow diving and snorkeling. There is little or no current in most places, and the water temperature averages about 80 F (25 C). Underwater visibility ranges from 50 to 140 feet, and tropical marine plants and animals are diverse and plentiful. Snorkeling is possible at many of both islands' most beautiful beaches; one of Antigua's best-known offshore sites, Cades Reef, is now partly contained in a designated underwater park. Another popular destination is the wreck of the Andes, a three-masted merchant ship that sank in 1905 and now rests in less than thirty feet of water in (ironically enough) Deep Bay. Antigua's dive facilities are far superior to those available on smaller Barbuda, and so most of the sites that have been established as dive destinations are Antiguan. The southern and eastern coasts are considered to offer the most consistent diving; for more advanced divers, the ledge of Sunken Rock on the south coast is a popular site. Dive depths generally range from 25 to 80 feet and can reach 180 feet; distances from shore to site are in some cases no more than five minutes and at most 40 minutes away. Barbuda's encircling reefs contain an enormous number of wrecks, most of which are yet to be explored; in fact, the Codrington fortunes on Barbuda were intimately linked to their acquisition of rights to the wreckage in the 17th-century. To dive off Barbuda, it is best to make arrangements with a dive shop on Antigua to have the necessary equipment taken over by air or boat. .......................................................................................................... ANTIGUA DIVE OPERATORS ASSOCIATION: http://divetravel.netfirms.com/ Big John's Dive Antigua: http://diveantigua.com DUIKEN Duiken is de bezigheid van het langdurig onder water verblijven al dan niet met hulpmiddelen zoals een persluchtfles (SCUBA). Het duiken werd tot halverwegen de twintigste eeuw voornamelijk beroepsmatig gedaan, maar is sindsdien ook een recreatief tijdverdrijf, met een nog steeds groeiende populariteit. Recreatief duiken wordt ook wel sportduiken genoemd. Ook onderscheiden we het vrijduiken zonder persluchtfles. Historie Het precieze begin van het duiken is onbekend, maar er zijn Griekse en Egyptische verwijzigen naar het duiken. De oudste afbeelding van een duiker is een Assyrische houtsnede van een duiker met een met lucht gevulde dierenhuid. Verder vinden we in oude geschriften veel verwijzingen terug naar onderwateractiviteiten. Zo zou Alexander de Grote tijdens zijn veroveringstochten in Klein-Azië al gebruik hebben gemaakt van een soort duikersklok. Dit was een ton waarin een glazen raam was bevestigd. De meeste bronnen over duikers staan in verband met zeeoorlogen. Zo heeft Herodotos, een Griekse schrijver die leefde van 484 tot 425 voor Christus en aan verslaggeving deed, beschreven hoe Scyllias, een beroemde Griekse duiker uit de vijfde eeuw voor Christus, die gevangen genomen was door Xerxes I, de Perzische koning, schatten uit gezonken Perzische schepen moest bergen. Zo vertelde Herodotos: Tijdens een zeeoorlog werd de Griek Scyllias op een schip gevangen gezet door de Perzische koning Xerxes I. Toen Scyllias vernam dat Xerxes een Griekse vloot ging aanvallen, kon hij een mes buitmaken en overboord springen. De Perzen konden hem niet vinden in het water en dachten dat hij verdronken was. 's Nachts kwam Scyllias boven water en sneed alle ankertrossen van de Perzische schepen door. Hij gebruikte een rietstengel als snorkel om onopgemerkt te blijven. Daarna zwom hij nog 15 km om zich terug bij de Grieken te voegen. Na de oudheid ebde de interesse om de onderwaterwereld te leren kennen weg. Tot de renaissance werd er geen aandacht bestaat aan eender welke onderwateractiviteit. Tijdens de renaissance werden er wel enkele apparaten uitgevonden. Zo beschreef bijvoorbeeld Leonardo da Vinci in zijn Atlantic Codex (Biblioteca Ambrosiana, Milaan) dat er systemen in gebruik waren om kunstmatig onder water te kunnen ademen. Details wilde hij niet geven, om zo 'ongure types' niet op ideën te brengen (om schepen te laten zinken of te roven en moorden). Dat was niet zo'n rare gedachte: duiken werd in die tijd voornamelijk gebruikt in oorlogen en ook wel om verloren schatten op te duiken. Er zijn wel enkele tekeningen van allerlei snorkels en een op de borst gedragen luchtzak. In 1660 bestudeerd Robert Boyle ongeveer tegelijkertijd met Edme Mariotte, het effect van lucht in water. Wat zou ons lichaam doen wanneer het naar de diepte wordt gebracht? In 1715 Vond John Lethbridge een duikersklok uit waarmee de duiker gemakkelijk bergingswerkzaamheden kon uitvoeren. Verder ontwikkelde Halley noog een duikersklok waarmee hij 90 minuten op de bodem van de theems kon verblijven. Pas in de negentiende eeuw kwam de ontwikkeling echt op gang. De gebroeders deane ontwikkeldeen een duikpak met een duikhelm. Later werd dit pak nog verbeterd door Ausust Siebe. Er was één groot nadeel, het pak was afhankelijk van een pomp aan de oppervlakte. Benoit Rouquayrol en Auguste Denayrouze ontwikkelden kort daarop het eerste SCUBA (self-contained underwater breating apparatus) apparaat waarmee men ongeveer een half uur onder water kon blijven en tot een diepte van 30 meter gaan. Hoewel men vroeger al luchtblikken had gebruikt, gebruikten Rouquayrol en Venayrouse de eerste duikfles die een hoger druk dan de normaaldruk kon verdragen. In 1915 komt Sir Robert Davis met zijn 'Submarine escape apparatus', een fles zuurstof die in het water geopend kon worden om zo te kunnen ademen. Deze werd verbeterd door Yves Le Prieur in 1933, gebaseerd op samengeperste lucht. Tijdens de Tweede Wereldoorlog is het duiken ingezet voor verschillende spectaculaire acties, zoals het opblazen van schepen in de haven van Alexandrië (Egypte) in 1941 door het Italiaanse elite marinekorps 'Decima Mas'. De Fransen zaten ook niet stil en in 1943 werden twee diepterecords gevestigd: Georges Comheines dook naar 53 meter, gevolgd door Frédéric Dumas met een diepte van 62 meter. Deze laatste poging werd ondernomen met een apparaat dat uitgevonden was door Jacques-Yves Cousteau en Emile Gagnan genaamd de Aqua-lung. Films van Jacques Cousteau vanaf zijn boot de Calypso maakten duiken en de onderwaterwereld bekend bij het grote publiek, maar ook het gebruik van duiken in o.a. de James Bond films heeft zeker geholpen. Fysiologie Duiken is een activiteit die niet geheel gevaarloos is. Immers het water is geen natuurlijke leefomgeving voor de mens. Drukverschillen tussen de omgevingsdruk en de druk in luchthoudende (lichaams)holten kunnen een barotrauma veroorzaken. Andere gevaren zijn Caisson ziekte en Zuurstofvergiftiging, naast de diverse giftige zeedieren en planten die voor de nodige problemen kunnen zorgen (tot en met de dood!). Organisaties Er zijn op de wereld een aantal grote organisaties die zich bezighouden met de duiksport: Confederation Mondiale des Activites Subaquatiques (CMAS) Professional Association of Diving Instructors (PADI) International Association of Diving Schools (IADS) Instructor Dive Development (IDD) Professional Dive Instructor Corporation (PDIC) Scuba Schools International (SSI) De eerste is een overkoepelende organisatie voor landelijke onderwatersport bonden en is gebaseerd op verenigingen. De Nederlandse Onderwatersport Bond (NOB) is onderdeel van CMAS. De andere zijn commercieel georiënteerd. Het IADS werd in 1981 opgericht als tegenhanger van het NOB. Uit het IADS kwam het IDD naar voren. PADI, IDD, PDIC en SSI hebben in Nederland 'filialen' (duikscholen en winkels die cursussen aanbieden volgens het door de betreffende organisatie ontwikkelde lesprogramma). De duikuitrusting Voor duiken is een goede uitrusting nodig die minimaal uit de volgende onderdelen moet bestaan: Duikbril Snorkel Vinnen (en voor buiten in Nederland vinnen met laarsjes) Perslucht fles (ook wel cilinder genoemd) Manometer voor het aflezen van de druk in de lucht fles Ademautomaat Octopus (verplicht gesteld door PADI) Trimvest Nat- of (semi)droog pak (zelfs in de meest tropische wateren is het nodig om een pak te dragen) Lood (soms geïntegreerd met het trimvest en anders met een loodgordel) Dieptemeter en horloge Duikcomputer niet verplicht maar bijna door iedereen gebruikt Duiktabel (voor nultijdberekeningen en duikplanningen) Duikhorloge
  • Antigua Weddingplanning COST (US$) HOTEL Wedding Package Honeymoon Package PACKAGE DEALS Admiral’s Inn $818/ Summer $1,174/ Winter Applicable to 6nt/7dy stay -Includes room rate, tax and service charge -Chilled champagne and fresh flowers in room -Free transport to nearby beaches -Boat trip around harbour -Free use of boats and other water sports and beach equipment -Ceiling fan or air-conditioning Allegro Resort Pineapple Beach $650 Wedding Package -Government fees -Registrar costs -Ceremony charges -Decorated site on property for wedding and reception -Bridal bouquet of fresh tropical flowers -Boutonniere for the groom -2-Tiered wedding cake -One bottle of champagne $110 Add on to standard rate Extra Value Honeymoon Package -Applicable to 3-night stays and over -Special check-in at Guest Service Desk -Flower arrangement in room upon arrival -Breakfast in bed on one morning -Special recognition/announcement of couple during hotel show -10% Massage discount voucher -Complimentary room upgrade to next level -Tax and service charge included $250 per couple add on to standard rate Premium Honeymoon Package -Applicable to 3-night stays and over -All inclusions of the Extra Value Package -In-room fruit basket, bottle of rum and soft drinks -Turn-down service daily -One free massage per person per stay -Special candlelight dinner on one night including one bottle of wine -Allegro honeymoon polo shirt – one per person -One honeymoon photo -Free laundry service -Surprise gift – one per person -Must be booked directly with hotel -Tax and service charge included Antigua Beachcomber Hotel $190/nt/ Summer $250/nt/ Winter -Applicable to minimum 3nt/4dy stay -Princess Di (Diana) Honeymoon Suite – “you will sleep where she slept” -First morning Champagne Breakfast In Bed -Room service/breakfast in bed during stay -Dining in the Garden by the palm trees and water’s edge -Daily meals (breakfast, lunch and dinner) Antigua Village $735 – $965 Summer $1,020 - $1,410 Winter 4-day/3-night Package -Unique privately owned, luxurious studio apartments -Roundtrip private taxi airport transfers -Welcoming chilled bottle of Champagne on arrival -Fruit basket in room on arrival -Breakfast at nearby Coconut Grove Restaurant each morning (x 3) -2-hour sunset sail on private charter -Use of beach towels and beachside/poolside chaise lounges -Fresh tropical flowers in apartment daily. -Rates are for two persons sharing and include 10% Service Charge and 8.5% Government tax -Unit categories available include Pool View, Garden View or Beach (frontline to Caribbean Sea) $1,699 - $2,209 Summer $2,330 - $3,250 Winter 8-day/7-night Package -Unique privately owned luxurious studio apartments -Roundtrip private taxi airport transfers -Welcoming chilled bottle of Champagne on arrival -Fruit basket in room on arrival -Breakfast at nearby Coconut Grove Restaurant each morning (x 7) -Celebration dinner for two at Coconut Grove -One special dinner for two at the award winning Le Bistro restaurant. Round trip taxi included. -A day excursion, with limited number of guests, to Prickly Pear Island – deserted island off coast of Antigua -2-hour sunset sail on private charter -Complimentary beach towels and use of beachside/poolside chaise lounges and Fresh tropical flowers in apartment daily -Rates are for two persons sharing and include 10% Service Charge and 8.5% Government tax -Unit categories available include Pool View, Garden View or Beach (frontline to Caribbean Sea) Blue Waters Antigua $635 -Legal fees -Bridal bouquet -Groom’s buttonhole -Decorated wedding venue -2-tiered wedding cake -1 Bottle French champagne -Wedding certificate -Transfers to and from legal office COCOS $600 TBC Cocobay $600 -Your choice of scenic locations, decorated -Non-denominational ceremony -Traditional West-Indian Wedding Cake -Bridal bouquet and Bouttoniere -One bottle Champagne -Marriage License -Legal Fees Curtain Bluff Hotel Wedding for guests of Curtain Bluff conducted free of cost – legal fees payable and extras at a charge Galleon Beach Club TBC Hawksbill Beach Resort $700 Registrar’s fees -Marriage license -Civil ceremony -Administration and reception by hotel staff -Decorated location at hotel for ceremony -Wedding toast for bride and groom -Wedding cake (local style) -Witness if required -Complimentary upgrade to next category based on availability at arrival -Bottle of house champagne in room upon arrival -Fresh local flowers in room daily Jolly Beach Resort $595 -Legal fees -Round trip taxi to city St. John’s - -Organising services of a Marriage Officer and arranging ceremony at Resort -Marriage license -Marriage certificate -Services of witnesses if required Champagne toast -Wedding Cake (one tier sponge) -Bridal bouquet -Groom’s Buttonhole -One bottle champagne -Juice and hors’d’oeuvres for four -US$50 voucher per couple for any Wadadli Cats cruise -Wedding Photo announcement e-mailed to 10 persons of couples choice and local newspaper if requested -Two bottles of massage oil -One bottle wine -An intimate dinner for two -Two Jolly Beach logo mugs -Just married T-shirts -Optional extras available Jolly Harbour Villas $630 Rate applicable if booked directly with hotel -Marriage license -Marriage certificate -Marriage Officer Fees -Services of a Witness if required -Wedding Ceremony -Wedding Cake -Decorated site for wedding -Bride’s Bouquet -Groom’s Buttonhole -One bottle Sparkling Wine -Return transportation from Jolly Harbour to the Legal Office in St. John’s -All taxes and gratuities -Optional extras available Rex Blue Heron and Rex Halcyon Cove $420 -Services of a Wedding Co-ordinator -One bottle of sparkling wine, one jug of fruit juice and a small selection of hors d’oeuvres with service of a Cocktail Waitress -Sparkling breakfast or an a la carte dinner during stay -Wedding cake (single tier) -Bridal bouquet and groom’s buttonhole -Bridal arch -Bottle of sparkling wine and fruit in room on arrival -Registrar, legal fees and officiant (ie. priest, minister or civil registrar) -**Free Wedding Offer valid from Dec. 2002 to 22nd Dec 2003 excluding peak periods e.g. Christmas/NewYear/Easter** -Wedding package fees (hotel services and legal fees) are waived for wedding parties of at least ten adults staying at least seven nights (one free wedding per party). Sandals Antigua Resort & Spa AHTA request contact be made with Sandals UK Office at 207 581 9895 as the Wedding and Honeymoon package details are market specific and Sandals Antigua Sales is not currently in possession of the outline. Siboney Beach Club $695- $1,260 Summer $1,060- $2,070 Winter -4nt and 7nt packages available -Accommodation in a Superior or Deluxe Suite -Superior includes: Welcome Cocktail, welcome bottle of wine, fresh flowers in suite, Introductory breakfast at Coconut Grove Restaurant located on property for 7-night guests, use of snorkels, masks, beach lounges, and towels, full day of sailing, Elite Discount Card valid in over 20 local stores. -Deluxe includes: Welcome Cocktail, welcome bottle of wine, fresh flowers in suite, introductory breakfast and lunch at Coconut Grove Restaurant located on property for 7-night guests, use of snorkels, masks, beach lounges, and towels, full day of sailing or an evening of revelry and dancing with steel band at Shirley Heights (transportation and barbecue dinner included), Elite Discount Card valid in over 20 local stores. -Rates are per couple -Add 10% service and 8.5% tax The Inn At English Harbour $600 -Legal formalities and fees -Decorated location for ceremony and reception -Bouquet of fresh garden flowers for Bride -Boutonniere for the groom -Traditional Caribbean Wedding Cake (decorated one-tier) -Bottle of Champagne -Extras available (CLICK HERE FOR ST. LUCIA) TROUWEN OP ST. LUCIA CLICK ON THE GUIDE FOR ST. LUCIA Bruiloft Een bruiloft is een feest dat gevierd wordt wanneer een man en een vrouw in het huwelijk treden. In de landen waar dit mogelijk is wordt de term ook gebruikt wanneer twee mensen van hetzelfde geslacht met elkaar trouwen. Vanaf dat moment zijn ze officieel een echtpaar, ze besluiten hun verdere leven met elkaar te delen. De benaming bruiloft wordt ook wel gebruikt alle onderdelen die op de bruiloftsdag plaatsvinden. Bruiloften in België en Nederland Een bruiloft, zoals die in België en Nederland gebruikelijk is, kan bestaan uit meerdere onderdelen. Het burgerlijk huwelijk is hierbij verplicht. Daarnaast zijn er één of meerdere andere onderdelen. Een 'standaard' bruiloft volgens het boekje ziet er echter ongeveer als volgt uit: Burgerlijk huwelijk in het gemeente- dan wel stadhuis Fotoreportage van het bruidspaar en naaste familie Het kerkelijk huwelijk Een diner voor het bruidspaar en naaste familie Een receptie voor familie, vrienden en kennissen Een bruiloftsfeest voor familie en vrienden Er is over het algemeen een duidelijke scheiding tussen de daggasten en de receptie- of feestgasten. Tijdens het diner houden de beide ouders van het bruidspaar een speech. Tijdens de receptie of tijdens het feest worden er stukjes opgevoerd en liedjes gezongen, door familie en vrienden, waarin de levensloop van zowel bruid als bruidegom uitvoerig voor het voetlicht komen, of waarin het echtpaar flink bij de neus wordt genomen. In de Nederlandse cultuur is er anno 2005 geen vast stramien waarin een bruiloft plaatsvindt, en veel bruidsparen kiezen hierin dan ook hun eigen weg. Tradities Trouwkaart Een aantal weken voorafgaande aan de bruiloft worden de trouwkaarten verstuurd. Op deze trouwkaart staan de namen van het bruidspaar, en een beknopte beschrijving van wat er die dag gaat gebeuren. Op de trouwkaart wordt eerst de naam van de bruid vermeld, gevolgd door de naam van de bruidegom. Vanaf het moment dat het echtpaar getrouwd is, hoort de volgorde voortaan andersom te zijn. Een traditionele trouwkaart begint over het algemeen met iets als Namens wederzijdse ouders zijn we blij u mede te kunnen delen dat we op (datum) (jaar) in het huwelijk treden. Het vermelden van de instemming van wederzijdse ouders wordt anno 2005 echter nog maar zelden op trouwkaartjes aangetroffen. Christenen plaatsen over het algemeen 'D.V.' bij de datum op de trouwkaart. Ringen Op de bruiloftsdag worden de trouwringen uitgewisseld. Dit heeft gewoonlijk plaats in het gemeentehuis, maar sommige bruidsparen geven er de voorkeur aan om dit tijdens de kerkdienst te laten plaatsvinden. Taart Op een zeker moment tijdens de bruiloft wordt de bruidstaart aangesneden. Bloemstuk Het bloemstuk dat de bruid de hele dag met zich mee draagt, is geregeld door de bruidegom. Volgens de traditie mag zij tevoren niet weten hoe het bloemstuk eruit ziet, tot de bruidegom haar op de ochtend van de bruiloft uit het ouderlijk huis komt ophalen en haar het bloemstuk overhandigt. Volgens een uit Amerika overgewaaide traditie dient het bloemstuk aan het eind van de bruiloft over de rechterschouder geworpen te worden, en vervolgens door één van de aanwezige vrijgezelle dames te worden opgevangen. De dame die het boeket vangt, zou als eerstvolgende aan de beurt zijn om in het huwelijk te treden. Kosten van een bruiloft De kosten van een bruiloft variëren zeer sterk. De sporadische bruidsparen die hun bruiloft vieren in de vorm van een barbeque met vrienden en naaste familie zijn verreweg het goedkoopste uit. Een eenvoudige bruiloft volgens het boekje, inclusief bruidskleding en notariskosten voor het opmaken van huwelijkse voorwaarden, kost echter al snel tussen de 5 à 10.000 euro. Tot in de jaren 70 was het gebruikelijk dat de vader van de bruid voor de kosten van de bruiloft opdraaide. Doordat de meerderheid van bruidsparen anno 2005 het ouderlijk huis reeds lang heeft verlaten, en meestal ook al enige jaren samenwoont, wordt de bruiloft tegenwoordig meestal betaald door het bruidspaar zelf. Bruiloften in andere culturen Indonesische bruiloft Bij Indonesische bruiloften is er geen strikte scheiding tussen receptie- of daggasten. Iedereen die ook maar enige bintenis met het bruidspaar heeft, wordt uitgenodigd voor de volledige huwelijksdag, inclusief diner. Stukjes of liedjes waarin het bruidspaar op de hak wordt genomen, zijn uit den boze; het paar wordt de hele dag vorstelijk behandeld. Huwelijk Het huwelijk is een samenlevingsvorm voor het leven, meestal tussen één man en één vrouw, die de wettelijke fundering vormt van veel gezinnen en die meer in het algemeen van belang is als legaal en sociaal geaccepteerd fundament onder seksuele relaties en familieverbanden. De precieze definitie van het huwelijk is afhankelijk van de historische en culturele context (zie ook verderop). Wereldwijd komen monogame, heteroseksuele huwelijken het meest voor, gevolgd door polygynie (een verbintenis van één man met meerdere vrouwen). Vanaf de latere decennia van twintigste eeuw wordt de term huwelijk in sommige landen ook in toenemende mate geaccepteerd als benaming voor homoseksuele verbintenissen. In een klein aantal landen, waaronder Nederland en België, worden zulke huwelijken inmiddels legaal erkend (homohuwelijk). Locatie van de huwelijkssluiting De plaats waar een huwelijk wordt gesloten, hangt van het land en de geldende cultuur af. In sommige landen vindt de huwelijkssluiting plaats in een religieuze bijeenkomst, bijvoorbeeld tijdens een Rooms-katholieke mis. In Nederland en België kent men onderscheid tussen het burgerlijk huwelijk en het kerkelijk huwelijk. Het burgerlijk huwelijk moet altijd voorafgaan aan het kerkelijk huwelijk. Het burgerlijk huwelijk wordt in het gemeentehuis gesloten en is rechtsgeldig. Vaak wijst de gemeenteraad ook enkele alternatieve trouwlocaties aan. Die locaties worden dan formeel ook als gemeentehuis aangemerkt. Als tastbaar aandenken ontvangen de echtelieden samen het trouwboekje, waarin later de kinderen worden bijgeschreven wanneer die bij een ambtenaar van de burgerlijke stand worden aangegeven. Rechten en plichten De huwelijkse staat omvat allerlei rechten en plichten. Echtgenoten zijn elkander getrouwheid, hulp en bijstand verschuldigd. Zij zijn verplicht elkander het nodige (financieel) te verschaffen. De verplichting tot samenwonen bestaat in Nederland niet meer. Om de financiele rechten en plichten ten opzichte van elkaar en ten opzichte van de staat te reguleren, kan men zowel in België als in Nederland trouwen in algehele gemeenschap van goederen of onder huwelijkse voorwaarden. In het eerste geval deelt men al zijn bezittingen, in het tweede geval is er scheiding van inboedel. Aanvullende regelingen rond de manier van inboedelscheiding kunnen bij de notaris worden opgesteld. Het opstellen van huwelijkse voorwaarden kan gunstig zijn voor de toekomst indien een van beide echtgenoten een eigen bedrijf krijgt, of als voorzorgsmaatregel voor wanneer het huwelijk beëindigd wordt. Wanneer er niets geregeld wordt voorafgaand aan het huwelijk, trouwt men in België (en in de meeste andere landen) automatisch onder huwelijkse voorwaarden, terwijl men in Nederland automatisch in gemeenschap van goederen trouwt. Het huwelijk eindigt door het overlijden van één van beide echtgenoten, door echtscheiding of bij omzetting van het huwelijk in een geregistreerd partnerschap. Huwbare leeftijd Om te mogen trouwen moeten beide partners in Nederland minimaal 18 jaar oud zijn. Zijn beide partners 16 of 17, dan mogen zij ook trouwen, mits er een doktersverklaring kan worden overlegd waaruit blijkt dat zij zwanger is of al een kind heeft gekregen. Op jongere leeftijd trouwen is alleen mogelijk met dispensatie bij Koninklijk besluit. Huwelijksvormen Naast de meest gebruikelijke huwelijksvorm (één man, één vrouw), zijn er de polygame vormen polygynie en polyandrie (één vrouw, meerdere mannen), het groepshuwelijk en het homohuwelijk. Polygynie is de op een na meest voorkomende huwelijksvorm. Historisch kwam het voor in China, bij verschillende volkeren in Afrika en Polynesie en, niet te vergeten, in het Oude Testament. In landen met een christelijke traditie is polygynie over het algemeen wettelijk verboden, maar in veel landen met een Islamitische meerderheid is deze huwelijksvorm wel toegestaan. Polyandrie is wereldwijd gezien zeldzaam, maar komt regelmatig voor in Tibet, Zanskar (een streek in Noordwest India), Nepal, bepaalde streken in China (met name Yunnan) en bij bepaalde stammen in Amerika en in Afrika, ten zuiden van de Sahara. Groepshuwelijken tussen meerdere mannen en meerdere vrouwen zijn extreem zeldzaam, maar komen voor bij de Caingang in Brazilië. Het huwelijk tussen mensen van gelijk geslacht, het zogenoemde homohuwelijk is als wettelijk verschijnsel iets van de 21e eeuw. Nederland is het eerste land in de wereld geweest waar dit huwelijk werd geïntroduceerd. Het huwelijk wordt in het Nederlandse Burgerlijk Wetboek Boek 1 nu beschreven als een verbintenis tussen twee natuurlijke personen. Ook in België erkent de burgerlijke overheid tegenwoordig het homohuwelijk. Protest tegen het fenomeen 'huwelijk' In de westerse wereld is er sinds de tweede helft van de 20ste eeuw meermalen protest geweest tegen het huwelijk. Zo zetten de feministen zich al enige decennia in tegen het verschijnsel. In 2005 werd er in Zweden een politieke partij opgericht, het Feministisch Initiatief, dat onder meer tot doel heeft het huwelijk af te schaffen. Dit met de motivatie dat het huwelijk als samenlevingsvorm anno 2005 niet om liefde, maar om bezit draait.

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Barbuda

  • Intro Barbuda is one of those very few islands in the Caribbean that remains--and probably will remain for some time--so undeveloped as to seem positively deserted at times. With the exception of the guests of the island's small number of accommodations, the population seems largely to consist of the graceful Fregata magnificens, or frigate bird. As the birds possess a marked preference for the northwest lagoon, Barbuda's seemingly endless white and pink sand beaches are left to the peaceful wanderings of those lucky enough to sojourn here.

Barbuda Animals

  • Frigate Birds (Fregatvogels) Frigate Birds (Fregatvogels) Barbuda's Frigate Bird Sanctuary is located in the island's northwestern lagoon and is accessible only by boat. The sanctuary contains over 170 species of birds and is home to over 5,000 frigate birds. Fregata magnificens, the most aerial of waterbirds, possesses the largest wingspan (four to five feet) in proportion to its body size of any bird in the world. It is also known as the man o' war bird, and the comparison to warships is a particularly apt one--with its superior size and flight capabilities, the frigate bird harasses less agile flyers like pelicans, egrets, and cormorants until they drop their catch. The male frigate is marked by its red throat pouch, which it can inflates as part of its courtship behaviour and as a defensive display. Courting takes place in the fall, and chicks hatch late in the year.Barbudaful.net Fregatvogels Tot de pelikaanachtigen behoren ook de fregatvogels (Fregatidae) zoals de grote Amerikaanse fregatvogel (Fregata magnificens). Deze soort is zo’n 115 cm lang en grote vleugels met een lengte van rond de 225 cm. In vergelijking met zijn grote vleugels is de fregatvogel vrij licht en daardoor goed in staat tot zweven en vliegen. Uren achtereen kan hij boven de golven zweven, speurend naar prooi. Aan het wateroppervlak vangt de fregatvogel vooral vissen en weekdieren. Soms ontfutselt hij sterns of jagers hun prooi. Fregatvogels nestelen in grote kolonies aan de kust of op naburige eilanden. De verwante grote fregatvogel (Fregata minor) is een kleinere soort, die broedt in bomen en struiken op eilanden in de Grote Oceaan. Soorten Familie: Fregatidae Geslacht: Fregata Ascensionfregatvogel (Fregata aquila) Witbuikfregatvogel (Fregata andrewsi) Amerikaanse fregatvogel (Fregata magnificens) Grote fregatvogel (Fregata minor) Kleine fregatvogel (Fregata ariel)

Barbuda Guide

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  • Barbuda Information Barbuda is one of those very few islands in the Caribbean that remains--and probably will remain for some time--so undeveloped as to seem positively deserted at times. With the exception of the guests of the island's small number of accommodations, the population seems largely to consist of the graceful Fregata magnificens, or frigate bird. As the birds possess a marked preference for the northwest lagoon, Barbuda's seemingly endless white and pink sand beaches are left to the peaceful wanderings of those lucky enough to sojourn here. Activities on Barbuda are appropriately relaxed, including beachcombing (on the northeastern Atlantic coast), fishing and hunting and, at the island's resorts, golf, tennis, snorkeling, diving, or simply soaking up the sun and the calm. Points of interest include the Frigate Bird Sanctuary, the truly noteworthy pink and white sand beaches, and an abundance of shipwrecks and beautiful reefs. Barbuda can be reached easily from Antigua, either by air (a 20-minute flight, twice daily) or by boat (in three hours). The island is home to the luxurious K-Club, Coco Point Lodge and Hotel Palmetto resorts, as well as to a number of other hotels and comfortable guest houses. Barbuda's history has been intimately tied to that of Antigua for centuries. The first early attempts to settle Barbuda (by both the British and French) were failures, and it wasn't until 1666 that the British established a colony strong enough to survive the ravages of both nature and the Caribs. In 1680, four years before he began cultivating sugar on Antigua, Christopher Codrington was granted (with his brother John) a lease to land in Barbuda. With subsequent leases that granted them additional rights to the substantial wreckage along Barbuda's reefs, they became the island's preeminent family. For much of the eighteenth century the Codrington land on Barbuda was used to produce food and to supply additional slave labour for the Codrington sugar plantations on Antigua, and so the Barbuda's fortunes rose and fell with those of its larger neighbour. Testament to the influence of the Codringtons remains today, both in the island's place names and in its architectural remains. On Barbuda's highest point (124 feet) are the ruins of the Codrington estate, Highland House, and on the island's south coast still sits the 56-foot high Martello castle and tower, a fortress that was used both for defense and as a vantage from which to spot valuable shipwrecks on the outlying reefs. Barbuda's Frigate Bird Sanctuary is located in the island's northwestern lagoon and is accessible only by boat. The sanctuary contains over 170 species of birds and is home to over 5,000 frigate birds. Fregata magnificens, the most aerial of waterbirds, possesses the largest wingspan (four to five feet) in proportion to its body size of any bird in the world. It is also known as the man o' war bird, and the comparison to warships is a particularly apt one--with its superior size and flight capabilities, the frigate bird harasses less agile flyers like pelicans, egrets, and cormorants until they drop their catch. The male frigate is marked by its red throat pouch, which it can inflates as part of its courtship behaviour and as a defensive display. Courting takes place in the fall, and chicks hatch late in the year.Barbudaful.net Fregatvogels Tot de pelikaanachtigen behoren ook de fregatvogels (Fregatidae) zoals de grote Amerikaanse fregatvogel (Fregata magnificens). Deze soort is zo’n 115 cm lang en grote vleugels met een lengte van rond de 225 cm. In vergelijking met zijn grote vleugels is de fregatvogel vrij licht en daardoor goed in staat tot zweven en vliegen. Uren achtereen kan hij boven de golven zweven, speurend naar prooi. Aan het wateroppervlak vangt de fregatvogel vooral vissen en weekdieren. Soms ontfutselt hij sterns of jagers hun prooi. Fregatvogels nestelen in grote kolonies aan de kust of op naburige eilanden. De verwante grote fregatvogel (Fregata minor) is een kleinere soort, die broedt in bomen en struiken op eilanden in de Grote Oceaan. Soorten Familie: Fregatidae Geslacht: Fregata Ascensionfregatvogel (Fregata aquila) Witbuikfregatvogel (Fregata andrewsi) Amerikaanse fregatvogel (Fregata magnificens) Grote fregatvogel (Fregata minor) Kleine fregatvogel (Fregata ariel)
  • Barbuda Prehistory PREHISTORY Prehistory is the story of a country before the advent of the written word describing that land. Columbus discovered Antigua on November 11, 1493, when he sighted an island to the east as he was sailing past Redonda and named the island he saw “Santa Maria la Antigua” meaning St. Mary the Old. History had then begun! AN UPDATE ON OUR PREHISTORY The prehistory of the Lesser Antilles has considerably changed over the last twenty years due to research made by the International Association for Caribbean Archaeology. Our prehistory may be divided into two periods, the Archaic and the Ceramic. We do not know the names of the first people living in the Eastern Caribbean Islands as there was no written word available in the west so far back in time as 3,000 years before the birth of Christ, the earliest known date of humankind in Antigua or Barbuda so far. We, in Antigua, have been calling these first people the “Siboney”. This is erroneous, as Archaic people by that name were only living in Cuba according to historic sources. The first people arrived in large oceangoing canoes either from Central America via the Greater Antilles or from South America. Neither direction has yet been proved one way or the other, though the former seems more likely. ARCHAIC PERIOD The Archaic people may be defined as a people whose economy was based on hunting, fishing and collecting wild resources, and organised themselves into small bands rather than settling in villages. They used the techniques of chipping and grinding to make tools of stone, bone, and shell, and indeed many of these artifacts have been found in Antigua and Barbuda and can be seen at the Museum. The oldest and most substantial sites of human occupation in Antigua are to be found at Twenty Hill, Parham (c.2900 BC) and at Jolly Beach (c.1775 BC). In Barbuda, ‘River,’ near the Martello Tower, has a known date of 1875 BC. The Archaic tribes of Amerindians lived in Antigua and Barbuda up to about 100 BC, and as the next period started some time before this, there was an overlapping of the two periods. CERAMIC PERIOD The next period of prehistory is known as the Ceramic Age starting in a minor way about 775 BC. These Amerindians arrived in canoes using the Caribbean Islands as stepping stones as they expanded into the Lesser Antilles. It was in the rivers and estuaries of what is today Venezuela, that the Amerindians had acquired their knowledge of boating and later, around Trinidad, the skills of the sea. As the name Ceramic Age suggests, the innovation in manufacturing techniques was the firing of the most practical and beautiful pottery, (see also photo above). They brought with them as well some measure of agriculture with the cassava root as their main staple. Being farmers they were more sedentary, thus village settlements were established for the first time. There are about one hundred and forty-nine prehistoric sites recorded for Antigua and Barbuda. Of these nineteen are in Barbuda. Seventeen sites in Antigua and Barbuda are aceramic, probably of the Archaic Period. Within the Ceramic Period, different groups of Amerindians are distinguished archaeologically through different styles of pottery. The first group was of Arawakan origin and much later, at about 1500 AD, it is thought, but not proved, that ‘Island Caribs’ worked their way up the islands. Materialistically, from historic records, and through archaeology, no difference can be found between the original and later people, except that styles of pottery change gradually in time. The later pottery is far less sophisticated and a possible religious symbolic artifact, the zemi, is less frequent. At the end of the prehistoric period it seems there were no homogenous Caribs, for in the missionary's dictionary mentioned above, we note the women spoke Arawakan and the men 'Island Carib', making a homogenous people, thus agreeing with archaeology there is little or no difference between them This brings Antigua and Barbuda’s prehistory up to historic times. To summarise: Date range Characteristics Language Period I ARCHAIC AGE c.3,000-250BC Hunting, fishing, collecting natural resources. Chipped stone, ground shell and stone tools Unknown Period II CERAMIC AGE c. 500BC-1500AD Agriculture, pottery making, settlements Ceramics, shell and stone. Arawakan Cariban AMERINDIAN WAY OF LIFE WELCOME TO WALADLI and WA'OMONI! If you had been a visitor to our islands not long before Columbus you would have travelled by canoe. The village elder would have sent a host to greet you. · On arriving at the large central house (carbet) of the village you would have been provided with a seat and tobacco, or a bed if you were old. · To show great friendship, you would have exchanged names with your hosts. · If you were special, you would have been given a feast at which all would have made merry with much cassava wine. · If unfolded cassava bread was given you , it would have meant you could have taken the leftovers along with you when you left! · You would have eaten in silence without drinking. Only one man spoke at a time, whilst listeners hummed if they had approved of his words. · Visitors were provided with special hammocks (hamaca) and a woman would have been given to paint your body with a natural paint (roucou) and dress your hair in the morning. FATHER BRETON'S DICTIONARY Father Breton was a missionary sent out from France to Guadeloupe about 1628 and later to Dominica in an attempt to convert the Island Caribs into Christians. He was unlucky in this task, but we are fortunate, as he wrote a Carib/French dictionary thus enabling future missionaries to carry on his work. This book, available for inspection in the museum, is absolutely invaluable to those that study the prehistory of our islands. It records the lifestyle of the last prehistoric people of the Lesser Antilles. Here is the book from which we learn that Antigua's Island Amerindian name was OUALADLI and Barbuda's OUA'OMONI (French orthography). Some of Breton's entries are very picturesque, take for instance the Amerindian for little red ants: Haiuachel - These ants are the smallest but the most troublesome and are found everywhere, in rooms, in chests, in food-safes, in jams, in hay and often enough they penetrate into the most secret places, where they bite so promptly and lively, in whose company you may be, and before you can think, the bite makes you commit an incivility that creates the laughter of those present, but who well know the mystery! WE LIVE IN WALADLI When Columbus was near Redonda on November 11, 1593, he sighted the island theAmerindians called “WALADLI” and named it “Santa Maria la Antigua” after a miracle working Virgin shrine in a chapel of Seville Cathedral, Spain. The Amerindian name of “Waladli” (since changed by modern Antiguans to “WADADLI” by the band in 1979) was found in a French missionary's Amerindian dictionary that can now be inspected at the Museum. Since we speak English the spelling has been changed from the French orthography to English, as can be seen in the accompanying illustration. The prehistoric name for Barbuda was “WA'OMONI” and Redonda “OCANAMANROU”. According to the writings of Ferdinand Columbus, the son of Christopher, the earlier name of Antigua used by the Arawakan speaking people was YARUMAQUI. This word is believed to be derived from “Yaruma”, a plant from which canoes and rafts were made and “Qui” an island. AMERINDIAN APPEARANCE The Amerindians, that we know as the Arawaks and Caribs, at the time of European contact were of good stature, well proportioned, strong and robust. Their natural colour was a very bronzed olive. The Amerindians never wore clothes; they sometimes wore a belt that hung in front with windings attached to the men's private parts. The women wore a cotton band four fingers wide. Sometimes the unmarried women wore a skirt or apron. HAIR - The hair was worn long with a fringe near the eyebrows. A parting was made across the head from temple to temple, leaving two small moustaches over the temples. Before the Amerindians travelled, the women combed the men's hair and greased it with oil to make it shine and look blacker. Coloured feathers were sometimes stuck into the bundled hair. At the back, their long black hair fell freely in graceful negligence. Slaves were not allowed to wear long hair. FACE - Often the forehead was flattened for good looks. Carib babies had their head flattened with boards or cushions or by the mother placing her hand and elbow on the head and sleeping on them. Ear-disks made from modified fish vertebrae were worn in the lobes of the ears. ADORNMENT - Necklaces were made of seashells and with transparent fish bones. Often wings of various birds were worn around the neck, which they let dangle over their shoulders and over their bellies. Other times a whistle made from the bones of their enemies hung around the neck. At the feet little bells of seashell were worn to ring while dancing and the women wore a little sash with bells attached. The rattle of snail shells accompanied dances on strings that dancers wore around their arms, hips, calves and heels. BODY PAINTING - Every day Amerindians reddened their bodies with a mixture of roucou and castor oil. It was believed this would please their enemies and that they would have nothing to fear if they took this precaution. After painting their husband's body with roucou the wife wiped her hands on her leggings to stiffen them. For fine black paint to be used for facial painting, gum was burnt from the root of the gum tree. Men often stood for twelve hours while his wife drew curves and lines from shoulders to buttocks. She also covered the back, arms and chest with fanciful lines, which were not unpleasant to look at. This decoration was made for warfare and for feasts. THE FIRST HOUSES The first people that came to Antigua built no houses, for the Archaic people roamed from place to place looking for their life sustaining natural resources. Later when the Arawakan-speaking people arrived at about the time of Christ, they brought horticulture to Antigua and Barbuda for the first time. To tend their cassava crops it became necessary to settle. That was when houses and villages were first built in Antigua. According to the first missionaries and to the results of archaeological excavations, Arawakan houses were round and measured about 12 feet across. Roofs were supported by a strong central post about 25ft high. This great height was necessary to make their roofs of thatch waterproof, for rainwater was able to run off fast with so steep a roof. Balanced atop the house within the extensions of the roof poles was a large rock. This was supposed to bring luck to the inhabitants of the house. The Amerindians invented the hammock, which name is derived from the Arawakan word, 'hamaca'. Hammocks were slung from the central post to the round surrounding wall. AMERINDIAN RELIGION The basic Amerindian belief was animistic, which means that all objects and even the universe itself possessed personalities, souls or spirits. Some objects harboured GOOD spirits, while others possessed EVIL spirits. The world crowded with spirits was terrifying to the Amerindians. Their life was spent trying to gain the goodwill of these spirits. There were three main Gods of the Arawakan-speaking peoples. Yocahu was the supreme god, the God of Cassava. Atabeyra the Goddess of Fertility and Childbirth and Opiyel Wa'obiran was the Guardian of the spirits of the dead. This latter God usually took the form of a dog. A beautifully carved dog's head made from a Fighting Conch shell was found at Freetown in the 1960's. Benevolent spirits were believed to have resided in Zemies. These were images made of stone, shell, coral, cotton or ceramics. Zemies controlled and influenced daily activities. They favoured crop growing, hunting and fishing. Shamans or Medicine men worked with the supernatural as both priest and doctor. These men were able to influence powerful spirits. Tobacco was used as a narcotic with which they intimately conversed with the Gods. A leaf was dried by fire and crumpled into a powder. This was mixed with white ash and seawater, dampened and placed between lip and gum. At the Museum there are examples of pottery 'incense burners' found in the various village sites of Antigua & Barbuda in which Cahoba, a narcotic plant of the Mimosa family was burned. Drawings were carved into rock at special places, as at bathing places or cave shelters. They were intended to guard against evil spirits. A petroglyph is the present day term for a rock drawing. The only known petroglyph of Antigua and Barbuda is to be found in a cave in Barbuda. AMERINDIAN ART - was religious art designs warded off evil spirits and appealed to benevolent ones. Their pottery was very elegant, with decoration flowing with graceful lines. It is marvellous to think the Amerindians, who lived on our islands from about the time of Christ for about 1,500 years, had only flint, stone or shell tools to work with. They were a people with time on their hands, and took pride and pleasure in making beautiful things. At the Museum, a folder showing various designs found on pottery may be obtained. These designs can be used in modern day handcrafts. It is so much better to use our own native motifs rather than designs from Hoboken, Honolulu or Haifa! Look at these - They are part of the brochure obtainable at the Museum: EARLY WEST INDIAN ART DESIGNS Mostly from Antigua & Barbuda AMERINDIAN DANCES Dances took place during feasts and drinking sprees. The musical instruments used were flutes and drums. Many of the Amerindian dances imitated animals and birds. One of the South American Arawak dances was the 'Humming Bird'. It probably took the form of a darting to and fro. Dances differed in each tribe or family. In some, the body was moved in a slow and stately manner, with the head held in a grotesque position. Men stood in a long line with their arms linked and the women opposite, likewise. The lines then advanced and retreated, all the time singing a monotonous chant, with each individual stamping hard upon the ground. Occasionally they break up to drink and then resume the same dance. Sometimes a man and a women would get together and link arms and strut about slowly together, bending their bodies forward and backward, this side and that, very grotesquely. Dances always ended with a loud and discordant uproar, which was a signal for renewed drinking. One particular tribe danced with each dancer representing a different animal. Each held a stick with an image of their animal on the end. One dancer would imitate a wild animal and pounce on another dancer to take him out of the ring. In the end, he would be alone to finish the dance. A dance of the Warrau tribe was described by the early missionaries as follows: When the cassava was ripe, the men went to catch crabs and the women made a special kind of cassava cake. When the men returned there was a feast. A young man and woman was placed in a circle separated by an arrow pushed in the ground with a doll stuck on it. The man locked his fingers together on his stomach and the woman likewise, on her apron. The dance consisted of a few single steps on the spot, different for man and woman. Both then stared at each other in the face, without any movement whatsoever of the mouth and eyes. The slightest sign of laughter disqualified either one. The offender was bundled out of the ring and the crowd shouted, 'That man/woman is no good. He/she will never get a wife/husband!'. FOOD - AND HOW IT WAS COOKED Mainly fishermen, the Amerindians we know as the Caribs and Arawaks, geared their lives to the bounty of the land and sea. FOOD GATHERING METHODS - Digging sticks were used for planting gardens and fire was used for forest clearance. Line fishing was carried out with shell and turtle shell hooks. The thread was made from pineapple, dagger tree and other fibres. Fish were shot with the bow and arrow from the rocks and then retrieved by diving. They were often inebriated first using a certain beaten up bark of a tree( Piscidia sp.) Nets were made of palm fibre or cotton. Rocks were taken to dive for lobsters and for conchs. Turtles were caught by slipping a cord around their flippers and by harpooning. Crabs were searched for at night by using torches made from Torchwood. Pelicans and kingfishers were tamed to fish for them. Hunted were: Rice-rat, birds, iguana, snakes, worms, insects, spiders. Birds were shot with an arrow with a wad of cotton on the end instead of a sharp head. Birds were trapped in small traps and also by a strong glue from resins. Parrots were gassed from fires lit under trees in which gum, green pimentos or peppers were burnt. COOKING METHODS - Food was often roasted on a boucan, from which we get the word 'barbecue'. Food was also roasted in the embers of a fire. The ash formed a jacket that was later scraped off. Sometimes roasts were wrapped in clay and placed straight in the fire. When the clay was broken open, feathers or scales came with it. Boiling was not so common except for crabs. Crabs were cooked in a pot with little water and much red pepper, the whole being covered with leaves. Fish, half gutted and with scales left on, were also cooked this way. No salt was ever used. CASSAVA - This root vegetable (Manihot esculentas) was the main staple of the Amerindians. The Cassava plant grows easily, but is a factor of soil degradation. This is probably the reason why the Amerindians moved slowly up the Lesser Antillean chain when they left South America at about the time of Christ. Cassava kept and travelled well in ocean-going canoes. After processing, it produced flour, bread loaf (6 ins thick) and several other varieties, a sauce called cassareep and a wine. As a vegetable it was light on the stomach. It was cooked over a fire on a griddle. PROTEIN - Agouti (Dasyprocta aguti) was a dark brown rodent that lived in Antigua about the size of a rabbit, and was introduced from South America. Agouti were hunted by non-barking dogs. It was kept for a day as it was too gamy, then it was salted, smoked and boiled in cassava juice for a long time to tenderise it. The guinea pig (Cavia porcellus) was another mammal occasionally used as food. Larger birds, like Terns, had their wings cut half off and were turned in the fire to burn off the feathers. They were then left on a grill to smoke. Small birds were wrapped in leaves to cook slowly. The outer skin was peeled off and the guts taken out. They were eaten without a sauce. Sometimes small birds were boiled in cassava juice with peppers, they had been smoke-cured, then drawn and feathered. Flamingos and parrots were aboriginally present in Antigua and were prized for their flesh and colourful feathers. Fish was boiled in fresh water, often half cleaned without being scaled. It was sometimes roasted on a spit. Fish was seasoned with peppers. Sea food was kept alive in corrals until needed, this was a common food storage method. Crabs were a delicacy. Many different species of crabs and shellfish have been found archaeologically in kitchen middens (garbage dumps). Conch and whelks appear to be the commonest in most village sites. THE PEPPER POT was called Tomali (Toma= Sauce, ali= clay pot). This method of cooking was a ingenious type of food storage. A rich brown pungent sauce was made by boiling any or all of the following available items:- fish heads, bones of fish, agouti, rice rat (Oryzomys spp.), iguana, birds, monkey, seashells (chip-chips, oysters, whelks) into a deep clay fire pot with peppers, sweet potatoes, cassava juice and fine cassava flour. Cassava bread and other meats were dipped into this stew. It was boiled continuously and added to next day. Father Breton noted that it was rather unhygienic (even by 17th century standards!) as often roucou (body paint) and old women's hair was always found in pepper pots. VEGETABLES and FRUITS - Maize (corn) was roasted on coal and maize cakes, Kayzu, were made by boiling. Green maize soup was also made. Other vegetables were:- Yams Kuchu, beans Mankonti arrowroot baked, Carib Cabbage Taya was used as a seasoning. Peanuts were eaten with cassava. Some fruits were the pineapple, introduced from South America and the native coco plum (Chrysobalanus icaca L.) Native seaside grapes and the fruits of the prickly pear cactus were also eaten as well as many other introduced plants as avocado, soursop, guava, paw-paw and mamey. DELICACIES - Delicacies were raw fish eyes and the entrails of the sea-cucumber were sucked out. If food was short, these holothurians were rubbed in the ashes of a fire to rid them of their slime and then cooked. Another delicacy was lice, particularly those from the heads of their enemies, these were rolled between the teeth for a quarter of an hour to savour. Toads (houa), snakes, worms and insects were also eaten. The Amerindian thus exploited natural resources to the maximum. They were very fond of honey. BEVERAGES - The main alcoholic drink was cassava wine, Wi'ku. This was a heady drink made from cassava and sweet potatoes fermented in syrup and water. 'Gossiping old women' chewed and spat out the cassava which was fermented in pots. A beer was made from maize Pallino, and pressed pineapples were used. The juice was probably left to ferment as a wine. A soft drink was honey and water Maba, and another was made from the cooked roots of the Carib Cabbage. An unknown plant called Karratas was used to make a drink to quench the thirst when far from water. During the European contact period, the Caribs pounded sugar cane in a pestle and boiled it to make a drink. RECIPES - Tacallalaca - Throw into a pot the bones of a fish just eaten, add handfuls of red pepper, cassava water and very fine cassava flour and a few pieces of crab; stirring the whole with a flat-ended stick. Hot sauce - Make from boiled cassareep juice and squashed pimento. Limejuice was included after European contact. Plants played an essential part in the daily social and economic life of the early islanders. A plant-based culture provided the early people with food, utensils, ornaments and drugs in fact materials of all kinds. To say the least, Antigua & Barbuda's environment was fully exploited. The early islanders brought with them from South America their principal useful plants, without which they would have had to rely on the scarce resources of the natural flora and fauna of the Lesser Antillean Islands. AMERINDIAN BOATS Early boats of Antigua were hollowed out tree trunks and may have been given extra freeboard by adding planks on either side. Arawakan speaking Amerindians that appeared from South America made these boats. Firstly, a large tree was chosen and fire was set around the base to kill it. Then it was left standing for a year or so to season. A favourite boat-building village was probably on the hill east of Monk’s Hill where the cell phone antenna is today. We know this because many conch-shell hand adzes, flint tools and pottery have been found at that spot. According to the missionaries, these adzes were used in conjunction with fire to hollow out the tree trunks. The trees were chosen from the interior of Antigua behind the hill, cut down and hollowed on the spot. Then a team of men dragged the bare hull to the village for finishing. It would have been an easy matter to take the canoes to Falmouth Harbour, as the canoes were literally slipped down the side of the steep hill to the water for launching. Canoes were the automobiles of the early people. They were used for communications around the coasts, fishing and even inter-island trade, proof of which has been determined archaeologically. THE ORIGIN OF SAIL - It is thought sail was not used until after 1605. In this year, three Spanish Galleys were wrecked on Guadeloupe and the Caribs murdered all the crews. One friar, a certain Father Blasius from the Low Countries, was spared as he had shown the Indians how to make sails out of the linen cloth that had been a part of the ships’ cargo. He showed them how to make a fore and aft spritsail (common in the Low Countries), the innovation pleased the Caribs as the sails had saved them much labour. Incidentally, Father Blasius made his escape by using one of his sails one night when he saw a British merchantman the “Henry Challons” approaching the lee of Guadeloupe. From that time on, sail was reported in the Caribbean in historical records, and until recently, the Carib Canoes of the Eastern Caribbean used the same sprit rig, utilising flour sacks sewed together as sail cloth. CARIB SEA LORE from a Carib/French Dictionary published in 1660 by Father Breton. During canoe building, if a woman had touched the boat with but the end of her finger, the Caribs believed the canoe would split and be leaky. The word for the Master of the Canoe and for the calabash bailer is almost the same as the skipper bailed throughout the voyage. The word “to voyage” literally means “to loot on water” or to raid. The tiller was always left unworked or unfashioned , otherwise it would not guide the boat well at sea. The crew sometimes wore a woven hat of cachibou leaves called a bakoua to protect from the sun and the sea. The Caribs had a word which meant, “I wish the wind and waves would take us and push us from the stern!” When they saw a dirty looking squall approaching, they would blow into their hands saying Piom, which means “Go far away!” At the end of a voyage, the canoe was pulled up on rollers and the word is the same as horse, cart, and wheels. It even alluded to women as they make men “go along”. JOLLY BEACH The Amerindian Jolly Beach site belongs to the earliest age of human settlement in Antigua and Barbuda and is the best-known complete habitation site of the archaic age. Two radiocarbon dates of 1,775 and 1,589 BC show the site was occupied about 3,500 to 4,000 years ago. By the archaic age we mean the people's technology had not reached the stage of pottery making or even the practice of agriculture. The Jolly Beach people had lived simply off marine resources and various native plants. Their tools were made of volcanic stone, flint, shell and wood. Tools excavated archaeologically include hand tools or chisels formed by the grinding of thick conch shell lips, ground stone axes or celts for making canoes, pestles for preparing food, flint blades for cutting and scraping, and simple beads and pendants. The Jolly Beach site is situated between two small hills east of the hotel gate. On the eastern part of the site a large house has already been built. Unfortunately there is no legislation to preserve our historic sites so that future Antiguan archaeologists may study them. When the site was originally occupied some 3,500 years ago, it would have been a peninsula, as sea levels were about 10 ft. higher than today. The rocky area on which the supermarket is situated was at the end of the peninsula. Indeed at the end, there is a cave water worn by the sea in former times. The Jolly Beach people may have originally come from South America, as similar tools have been found there. They have also been collected at Ortoire in Trinidad; hence archaeologists call the Jolly Beach site 'Ortoiroid'. We have no idea of the name of the tribe that lived there or the name of the language they spoke, unlike the later Tainos and Island Caribs who were observed by the European missionaries and explorers. Ceramic Period INDIAN CREEK The Indian Creek village site can be found about half a mile up the Indian Creek inlet on the south-east of Antigua. The Amerindian village site is an internationally known prehistoric archaeological site and is the most important on Antigua. Just before the time of Christ, maritime Arawakan speaking people arrived by canoe from South America. These agricultural people cleared the valley to grow their main staple ,cassava. Their life was sustained by the many different types of natural resources to be found from the mangroves, the creek and the sea. Arawak art was of high aesthetic quality and their agronomy was most productive in the Caribbean’s ancient world. The settlement, whose population was about 50, lasted until about 1200 AD. ADORNO FROM THE RIM OF A VESSEL MODELED FROG ON VESSEL WALL In 1973, Yale University made several excavations, where workers unearthed middens (garbage dumps) on this site where Arawak chiefs and shamans had apparently lived, bringing to light long buried religious artifacts so that the Historical Society could continue reconstructing the religious practices begun by earlier work. Only about 1% of the site was excavated; the idea being that the rest should be left for future Antiguan archaeologists and for when better and more advanced method will be developed. Development - We believe this site would make an interesting eco-tourism attraction. Amerindian houses are simple to build. Three full sized ones would make the site come alive. One house would be a museum showing the many artifacts that have been found there, another for facilities and the other for a caretaker and guide/lecturer. The interiors of the latter two would be modern. INTERNATIONAL REFERENCES JONES, ALICK 1978 Dietary Changes of the Arawaks at Indian Creek, Antigua. Am. Antiquity,Vol.50:3 913.031'155'Z5 OLSEN, FRED 1974 Indian Creek: Arawak Site on Antigua, West Indies. Norman: Univ. of Oklahoma Press. 972.974'004' OLSEN, FRED 1974 On the Trail of the Arawaks Univ. of Oklahoma Press, 408pp. 970.3 ROUSE, I.& FABER MORSE BIRGIT 1999 Excavations at the Indian Creek Site, Antigua, West Indies Yale University Pubs in Anthro.No.82 1999,70 pp. 972.974'004' STEADMAN 1980 Faunal Remains from Indian Creek. .See also Z2 Unpublished 913.031'155' Z2 GOVERNMENT MAP, PLAN n.d. Plan of Piccadilly Lands at Indian Creek, with owners. Unpublished 972. 974 I2 Information from the Museum of Antigua & Barbuda ROYALL'S This is an early ceramic period village site (Saladoid), about the same period as Indian Creek. The earliest carbon date attained so far for the site is 300 AD. It site is situated on the north coast of Antigua and discovered in 1998 by John E. Fuller, when being developed for modern housing. Many beautiful pottery sherds have been found as well as a large quantity of beads, both finished and unfinished, manufactured from semi-precious stone. There was some archaeological research carried out by Dr. Reg Murphy and the Calgary Archaeological Summer in 1998. POTTERY excavated by the Antigua Calgary Summer Archaeological School. Top & bottom rows: Reconstructed ceramic bowls. Middle row: Rim adornos MILL REEF From about 400 A.D. agricultural Amerindians from South America built a permanent village within the today’s Mill Reef Club property. They lived here for about 600 years, depending on sustenance from natural resources readily available from the coral reefs and small islands of the area, as well as the fertile valleys behind the shoreline. The village was placed near a small hypothetical stream and in a sheltered position behind a low ridge parallel to the sea.The stream gave rise to the name of the site as the “Brook”. First Archaeology - Dr. Fred Olsen, Dr. Irving Rouse of Yale and Robertson ‘Happy’ Ward, assisted by Mill Reef Club members, commenced the first scientific archaeological excavations in Antigua in December 1958. It is estimated that over one hundred thousand sherds were collected. Subsequently the best artifacts were displayed in the old mill tower museum at the Mill Reef gate. Most of the artifacts are now housed at the Museum of Antigua and Barbuda. Perhaps the most interesting find, uncovered through careful excavation, was a pair of large green stone celts or axes found in association with ash. A charred house posthole was also located, so it was assumed the hafted celts were consumed in a burned down house. Radiocarbon dates from the ash gave a reading of about 550 A.D. Today, archaeologists refer to Mill Reef as a “type site”. Its style of pottery is indicative of the middle period of Antiguan prehistory, 500 - 900 A.D. For decoration, white painted bands on a red background were applied by brush. This form of painting followed the earlier Indian Creek style, in which the pottery was painted overall with a white colour and then rubbed off to form the design. MAMORA BAY At Mamora Bay there is an Amerindian village site important to the archaeology of Antigua. It is a type site, that is to say the broadline incised decoration of its pottery is an attribute to a particular style. This was first found at Mamora Bay by Dr. Fred Olsen about 1960, so it is known as the Mamora Bay Style or Complex. Having been dated (c. 900 - 1200 AD), we can thus date other Antiguan sites that possess that style of ceramics. Other sites that exhibit the style are at Emerald Cove, Indian Creek, Blackman's, Coconut Hall, Jumby Bay and Hawksbill. The site was explored by Dr. Charles Hoffman of the University of Florida in 1962, who first described the ceramic style. When the Mamora Bay Hotel was built on the peninsula in 1963, several burials were found, the bodies having been put to rest in a squatting position. Several hotels have since been built on the site; development has taken place without any scientific archaeological excavation. Much of our prehistoric heritage has been developed over by hotels. Locations that were prized by the Indians are also prized by today's developers! Unfortunately there is no Development Control in this regard ... A note on the characteristics of the Mamora Bay style: Rather thick walled hemispherical shaped vessels often decorated with a special design made with a curvilinear broadline incision. There are no handles or modelled incised and tabular lugs. The scratching of surfaces continues, as well as the appearance of three-pointed stones or zemis. Absent is white-on-red painting, also handles disappear. 'Troumassoid' influences include: Wedge shaped lugs on a triangular rim and red painted ridges within rims. (Rouse). GREENCASTLE HILL HISTORY This 565 ft. hill was once an isolated volcano, which was later exposed to wave action, so that an array of close-fitting rhomboidal and polygonal columns was formed. These stone features include the 'megaliths' and 'sacrificial slabs' which are considered by some authorities as the remains of a prehistoric astronomical observatory and temple. It was here that scenes of religious ceremonies and phallic worship were perhaps centered. Indeed pottery sherds of the Arawakan speaking Indians have been unearthed on the western side. It is here that scenes of religious ceremonies and phallic worship were perhaps centered. If this were so, what a wonderful addition to our tourism product this historical resource could make! A more contemporary feature is the grave of the Earl Baldwin of Bewdley, Governor of the Leeward Islands, 1948 - 1950, and son of Oliver Baldwin, a one time Prime Minister of Great Britain. An open-air study of nature and a beautiful view of fair Antigua would also be obtained if this historic heritage site was made a special tourist attraction. An interesting and informative nature trail should be designed covering the better-known megaliths. These include remains of stone circles, altars, and, with the megaliths, which all suggest the hill was once an astronomical outlay for the measurement of time. Some of the megaliths have been called the Chair Rock, Phallic Rock, West Turning Rock and the Tomb. Greencastle Hill is a very important heritage site and well known internationally. The most provocative publication is a report by a researcher from Trinidad, Dr. Maura Imbert some of which was published in “Caribbean Beat” , BWIA’s flight magazine. The Professor inferred that that there is some correlation between the ancient megaliths of Greencastle and other ancient sites in the world, including Stonehenge. Other authors have been Charlesworth Ross, (1962), Hajji Dawud in the Caribbean Conservation Association News, (1971) and Dr. Fred Olsen of Mill Reef (1973). There was also an article in the New York Times in 1971 entitled “Antigua’s Tropical Stonehenge”. At this point in time, it is safe to state that the existence of a 'Tropical Stonehenge' or perhaps a temple dedicated to the Pleiades) on Greencastle Hill during the period 500-1250 A.D. is well within the bounds of possibility! For further reading in a more technical vein see: “Is There a Tropical Stonehenge on Greencastle Hill?”, by Dr. Imbert, in the Historical and Archaeological Society Newsletter No. 75, Oct. 2001, page 5. Obtainable from the Museum of Antigua & Barbuda.

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St. Lucia

  • Intro Saint Lucia Saint Lucia Volkslied: Sons and Daughters of St. Lucia Officiële landstaal Engels Hoofdstad Castries Regeringsvorm Parlementaire monarchie Religie Katholiek 90% Oppervlakte – % water 620 km² 1,6%% Inwoners – Dichtheid: 160 duizend 260/km² Munteenheid Oost_Caribische dollar (XCD) Tijdzone UTC -4 Nationale feestdag 22 februari Web | Code | Tel. .lc | LCA | 1758 Saint Lucia is een eilandnatie in het Caraïbisch gebied ten noorden van Saint Vincent en de Grenadines en ten zuiden van Martinique. Saint Lucia maakt deel uit van de Kleine Antillen Staatshoofd Koningin Elizabeth II en lid van het Britse Gemenebest.

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  • St. Lucia Bacchanal Zone CARNIVAL THE BACCANAL ZONE Imagine: You're grooving down the streets of a Third World capital to the beat of infectious native anthems. Before you, music is pounding out of dozens of huge speakers on the back of a truck. The rhythm of the music controls your body. You can't help but move. And the drumbeat seems to tell you what to do. You're hot. But it feels great.And it's not just you. Someone you don't know gyrates against your thigh in an intimate fashion. Behind you thousands more dance in the streets. All different colours of people, even blue and green. Most are headed in the same direction as you. Following the music. They're all dressed in colourful costumes, in some cases, just lingerie. Armies of colourful tropical revelers surround you; each battalion has its uniform. You look at yourself and realize that you…are one of them. Thirst overcomes you and you take a drink. You don't know what's in it, but your head is clearing up. You ask yourself, 'Where am I? How did I get here?' The deejay changes tune. You focus on a guy who jumps on the truck and is practically making love to a speaker. Things start getting clearer. You're at St. Lucia Carnival. You're in the Bacchanal Zone. You barely had a week to recover from the St. Lucia Jazz Festival when the Calypso Tents started. Every weekend since – and even some weeknights - you've been up until two in the morning digging thoughtful, clever calypso and mindless, infectious soca. Next thing you know, you joined a Carnival costume band, and found yourself helping to build costumes. You didn't sleep for weeks. Somehow you didn't need to. You even found yourself at countryside calypso shows and pageants. Then the big shows started: Panaroma, where the big steel pan bands gather to do musical battle against each other. The six-hour Calypso Semi-Finals, an explosion of song. The National Soca Monarch Championship and the regional one. And the big finale, the Calypso Monarch Finals. It's all coming back. This is the climax. It's a battle. A street fight for the Championship Crown of Best Carnival Costume Band. You're a soldier. If only all war was like this. Before you feel a pang of guilt for dancing wantonly with strangers, you remember something you heard while building costumes. Carnival was the brainchild of a medieval Pope who wanted people to 'let it all out' in time for Lent. Carnival is actually a tool for promoting piousness. Cool. As you dive back into the frenzy of body, mind and spirit, you realize that it might already be working. You probably won't drink for a while after this. Chalk
  • St. Lucia Calendar Creole Heritage Month - October Highlighting October as Creole Heritage Month is all a part of our cultural re-birth, and an attempt to recover and remember our past. Therefore, the Folk Research Centre, a non-governmental organization established in 1973 to preserve and promote the cultural heritage of St. Lucia, organizes a series of events throughout the month to create this mass consciousness. Several communities are selected each year to host an activity which culminates at the end of October with the grand celebration of International Creole Day or Jounen Kweyol, a worldwide celebration by all countries that speak the Creole language. Call the Folk Research Centre at 452-2279 for the full programme of activities. Feast of La Marguerite - October One of two local flower festivals which gives a voice to a time in our turbulent past. - A group of people come together as 'Marguerites' and present themselves as the gentry, opposing the belief structure of the other flower festival - La Rose. The roots of this festival lie in extreme social satire, dating back to a time when St. Lucia was a British colony. Named after St. Marguerite Alacoque, this local flower society celebrates its patron saint's feast day with indigenous songs and dances that have been handed down throughout the centuries from generation to generation. Activities are held throughout the island. Rotary Club of Gros Islet Golf Tournament - November A one day Tournament from which all proceeds go to charitable club projects. To find out more about the auctioning of teams for this year's event, contact Ken Lalsingh from the Rotary Club of Gros Islet (451 6369). If you are interested in participating as a player or as a sponsor, he will be pleased to provide you with up to date information. Festival of Lights and Renewal - December This day was celebrated in the past as Discovery Day. Much has changed however, and now St. Lucians look forward to what has become the annual switching on of the Christmas lights and the accompanying Lantern Competition. This has become an arena for intense creativity and local artistic expression. Visitors are welcome to sample these elements that are representative of our rich heritage. ARC - Atlantic Rally for Cruisers - December St. Lucia welcomes the world's largest trans-Atlantic Rally for Cruisers. Over 200 boats leave Gran Canaria around November 25th to rendezvous on Simply Beautiful St. Lucia. The first yacht usually completes the crossing in the first week of December. If you are contemplating a sea-worthy adventure, and have never taken part in the Atlantic Rally for Cruisers, contact our Tourist Board for details. Log on at www.stlucia.org or email slutour@candw.lc. Incidentally, this is an interesting way to vacation in St. Lucia. Start the race in Gran Canaria, and finish in the tranquil waters of the Caribbean, where St. Lucia awaits you. If your time schedule allows, you might even plan for a warm Christmas here in the sun and then head on back home to reality! St. Lucia Open - December The St. Lucia Racquet club at Cap Estate hosts this event that is open to all amateur tennis and squash players. Call the St. Lucia Racquet Club at 450 0106 for more information. Independence Day - February This is a landmark in our development as it marks the anniversary of St. Lucia's independence from Great Britain. While our economy cannot realistically be separated from matters that affect the world economies, as a people, we govern our own affairs, and as such, this day is marked by various celebrations held islandwide. This is a wonderful occasion where you can immerse yourself in our culture as a number of the events really pay tribute to things cultural. If you are already on island during these celebrations, ask at your hotel for more information about how you can become more involved. Lions Club Independence Charity Tournament - February A one-day tournament held at the St. Lucia Golf and Country Club at Cap Estate. The event is open to everyone who wishes to compete for the Prime Minister's Cup. Proceeds are donated to charity. Festival of Comedy - March St. Lucia has always been well known for its friendly people. It is no wonder therefore, that through the efforts of the St. Lucia National Trust, some of the best Local and Caribbean storytellers and comedians converge here toward the end of March, to entertain audiences and leave them with bellies full of laughter. This is another fine opportunity to plan to come to St. Lucia, and you can certainly add this item on your itinerary. This festival is the annual fundraiser of the St. Lucia National Trust. International Earth Day - April World wide, one of the more compelling issues is conservation and preservation of the environment. In St. Lucia, we show our respect for our environment by keeping the consciousness alive through special activities on International Earth Day. The St. Lucia National Trust is in the forefront of these activities, which normally begins with the Soleil Lévé (sunrise) ceremony and ends with the Soleil Couché (sunset) ceremony. Call the St. Lucia National Trust at 452-5005 if you want to contribute to or be a part of this activity. St. Lucia Jazz Festival - May With big names like the Herbie Mann Quintet and the Michael Brecker Quartet, Yolanda Adams, Ashford & Simpson, and Earth Wind & Fire, you sell yourself short unless you plan to visit St. Lucia, recently voted by readers of Caribbean Travel and Life Magazine as the Caribbean's Second Best Undiscovered Destination. With its special brand of natural beauty, and the strains of music guaranteed to soothe your heart and soul, we believe that you should be a part of the next St. Lucia Jazz Festival. Log on at www.sluciajazz.org for more information, or email jazz@stlucia.org. St. Lucia Golf Open - June This two-day golf tournament is held at the St. Lucia Golf and Country Club. It is open to all amateurs. Players come from all over the Caribbean to participate. The OECS (Organization of Eastern Caribbean States) team will be selected at this match. This team goes on to play at the Caribbean championships. This is a handicap event with prizes for gross and net scores. Carnival - June & July We like to think of this as the greatest show on our cultural calendar, as it encompasses one month of solid entertainment. Our writers, composers, singers and musicians release their energy in biting social commentary through their entertaining calypso selections. The action begins in the 'tents' where each calypso receives its baptism by fire, and some move on to the next level of competition, leading to the final show - the best of the best in the Calypso Finals where judges decide on the Calypso Monarch and or the Soca Monarch titles. But while all of this is happening, the mass camps come alive with the sounds of steel pan music as preparations begin for the Carnival pageant, which culminates in two glorious days of delicious fun. Plan your holiday at that time, and feel free to visit calypso tents or ask at your hotel about opportunities for 'jumping' with a band. The full programme is available from the Cultural Development Foundation. You can call 452 1859 for more information or log on to www.stluciacarnival.com for more information. Kids Golf Camp - July The St. Lucia Golf and Country Club offers a weeklong coaching programme for children between the ages of 6 and 13. Golf lessons take place in the morning and lunch is included. The places are limited to 20 children, so sign up early. Emancipation Day and National Heroes Day - August August 1st is an international holiday when St. Lucians, along with certain other former British colonies, celebrate the Abolition of Slavery in 1838. La Rose Festival - August This is the second of two local flower festivals which gives a voice to a time in our turbulent past. - A group of people come together and present themselves as the gentry, in this instance, an opposing faction to the La Marguerites. The roots of this festival lie in extreme social satire, dating back to a time when St. Lucia was a British colony. Named after St. Rose de Lima, this local flower society celebrates its patron saint's feast day with indigenous songs and dances that have been handed down throughout the centuries from generation to generation. Activities are held throughout the island. Market Feast - August Held at the Castries Market, the fruit and vegetable vendors 'fete' their special day. There is musical entertainment and plenty of food and drinks. St. Lucia Bill Fishing Tournament - September A three day competition for Anglers from all over the Caribbean. The Blue Marlin is the most sought-after fish and everyone is out trying to set new records. Undersized fish, weighing less than 250 lbs., are tagged and returned to the sea. The weighing station is at Rodney Bay and all are invited to see the catches at the end of each fishing day.
  • St. Lucia Coconuts COCONUTS - STANDING SENTINEL Introduced to the Caribbean in the mid -18th century the coconut is thought to have been imported here by traders plying their wares from as far away as the South Pacific. It is also thought that the seed of the coconut being so buoyant traveled around the world on the various currents of the oceans. This resourceful fruit with all of its fibre and oil was the perfect botanical boat. Indeed the coconut palm was destined to populate all of the warm climates of the globe due to its inherent ability to 'sail' its own ships on the tropical oceans. Flourishing in the warm, balmy temperatures of the islands, the coconut took root and has become a signature of the region, prominently displayed in every exotic portrayal of the Caribbean. From stem to leaf the coconut quickly became intrinsic to the country's culture and economy. Today its resourcefulness is acclaimed by St. Lucians. For the well-soused individual who has had just that little bit too much to drink the night before, the juice of the young fruit called 'coconut water' by islanders will neutralize the effects of a hangover. (Note well that there is a marked distinction between coconut water and coconut milk. The 'water' is found in the belly of the nut, whereas the milk is derived from grating the meat within the fruit, mixing this with ordinary water and squeezing out the liquid through a fine fabric such as muslin, gauze or cheesecloth.) Consumed just before going to bed following over-indulgence of food and drink, coconut water will guarantee one wakes up bright-eyed and bushy-tailed, none the worse for wear. But this is where things get a little ticklish and grey areas abound. There are some who profess that coconut water, while a panacea for all that ails digestion, should not be ingested too late at night for fear of excruciating belly cramps or even death! Then there are those who swear that coconut water combined with a touch of aloe, well blended together, makes what St. Lucians call 'a coolin'' designed to purge the body, especially the digestive tract and 'clean the blood' of all impurities. This coolin' is an integral part of islanders' annual back-to-school ritual where well-meaning parents ensure that their children are thoroughly purged before facing the grueling demands of academia, free of all that might bind their bodies and minds such as the never-ending spicy home-made salads of green mangoes, sour tamarind and whatever else children in these parts pop into their mouths during the long, hot summer months. There are some who even say that the water of the young, still jelly-less coconut is the best and most natural liquid Viagra there is. Young and some not-so-young men are even willing to guarantee the potency of the coconut as an aphrodisiac or 'front-end lifter' as they jokingly refer to the nut (pardon the pun). The fruit can also be grated and squeezed, boiled and the fat skimmed off to make coconut oil which local mothers swear by to keep babies' limbs supple. Young people also use this for smooth, blemish-free skin and older folk contend that it wards off rheumatism and other joint pains. But the benefits of the coconut palm are not solely confined to medicinal and exotic purposes. The palm is also used for the creation of beautiful arts and craft from wide-brimmed hats to tablemats and floor coverings. The fronds are also used for thatched roofs and in some parts huts are still made completely from the coconut tree. The wood from the plant that soars from 40 to 100 feet when fully grown, has also built bridges and houses. The benefits of the coconut to the economy of the island were so well recognized that in the late 1930's a group of coconut growers came together and formed the St. Lucia Coconut Growers Association. Thousands of hectares of land were put under coconut cultivation with copra – the sunned and dried nut – being one of the main exports. From this copra was made toilet and laundry soap, margarine, shortening and cooking oil, lotions and creams. Fodder and feed meal for poultry and cattle was also made from the discarded parts of the main product. The coconut lived up to its reputation as the total crop. However, in recent years, the fruit has gotten a bad rap on the international market with claims of its high content of bad cholesterol and while it still remains an integral part of islanders' way of life, the industry has suffered from the negative publicity. Bad press or not, the distinctive taste of the coconut is found in many tropical cocktails – daiquiris and scorpions, or have you tried one of the most popular local drinks – coconut water and Johnny Walker Black scotch whisky? No matter how you decide to try it, au naturel, right from the nut, mixed in a cocktail or even in food - there is no denying the wonderful taste of coconut milk in a chicken pelau - or perhaps the jelly of the fruit eaten straight up from the shell; your holiday will be complete only when you have savoured the sweet coconut. Then and only then, can you honestly claim: 'I've tasted the Caribbean.'
  • St. Lucia Cricket CRAZY FOR CRICKET ST. LUCIA: 2007 WORLD CUP VENUE St. Lucia is one of eight venues in the region selected to host the 2007 Cricket World Cup organized locally by the West Indies Cricket Board. The event, scheduled to start in April 2007, will feature 16 world cup nations playing some 51 matches during the Championships. St. Lucia has been awarded the Blue Package with four teams, including England, playing six matches on the island. St. Lucia will also host one of the two semi-finals. All events will take place at the ultra-modern Beausejour Cricket Ground. St. Lucia is a new Caribbean venue and securing a semi-final match is an indication of the ICC, International Cricket Council's rating of the island's facility at Beausejour. Selection of the venues followed a rigid bidding process. The eight host countries chosen are Antigua and Barbuda, Barbados, Grenada, Guyana, Jamaica, St. Kitts and Nevis, St. Lucia and Trinidad and Tobago. In St. Lucia, however, preparation work for the event has only just begun. Before the World Cup, the Government of St. Lucia must double the seating capacity of the Beausejour Cricket Ground – described by West Indies captain Brian Lara as 'the best ground in the Caribbean.' Winning the Blue Package is regarded as a boost for the island's tourism industry. The United Kingdom is the second largest market for visitor arrivals to St. Lucia. Philip Pierre, St. Lucia's Tourism Minister is urging the tourism sector to prepare for the benefits that such a prestigious event will generate. Most of the island's tourism infrastructure is in the north, near to the Beausejour Cricket Ground. The presence of an 18-hole golf course, swimming, fitness and tennis facilities are all good selling points for the Beausejour World Cup venue. Government is even considering offering incentives to investors who wish to increase room capacity in time for the World Cup. The local organizing committee is working under the theme World Cup 2007 – A Nation Prepares. Former Director of Tourism Allen Chastanet, who sat on the West Indies Cricket Board World Cup Planning Committee, says that the choice of St. Lucia as a venue is an extraordinary opportunity for the island. 'The package that St. Lucia has won virtually makes the island the hub of World Cup 2007. In the first round of matches, which include England, we are going to have matches being played almost every day over a three-week period. The next phase, which is the Super 8 will be played in Antigua, Barbados and Grenada – all of which are close enough to St. Lucia to allow cricket fans to make St. Lucia their base for the 51-day tournament and travel to matches in the other islands as they please,' said Chastanet. Live transmission of matches from the Beausejour Cricket Ground to millions of viewers across the globe is priceless exposure for St. Lucia as an international cricket venue and tourist destination. 'From an economic perspective, it is an awesome package that St. Lucia has won,' said Chastanet.
  • St. Lucia Dining ISLAND DINING BUZZ SEAFOOD & GRILL Rodney Bay (opposite the Royal St. Lucian Hotel) 458-0450 Buzz is now going into their sixth year of operation and definitely appears to be buzzing!! The owner Pat Bowden and her chef Marie have been together for 29 years and successful in all their ventures. They enjoy what they do and it shows as soon as you are seated and the menus are presented – besides tremendous choice on the a la carte you will also receive a further menu with 'Tonight's Specials.' Making a decision is no easy feat – you might seek some help from Pat or Donna. The food is beautifully presented on dishes of varying shapes, sizes and colours, all of which will contribute to making your evening at Buzz very special. Starters include their Lobster & Crab Cakes, Shrimp Tempura, Homemade Raviolis (e.g. Spinach or Lobster) or Thai Mussels to only mention a few. Although Buzz is so well known for their Seafood you should return to have their Moroccan Spiced Lamb Shanks, Rack of Lamb, Chicken Wellington or for something more local, West Indian Pepperpot and Seafood Creole. There are succulent Char-grilled Steaks and BBQ Baby Back Ribs for the meat lovers and a great selection of pastas, salads and vegetarian dishes. Fresh Fish is delivered daily: Seared Tuna, Potato Crusted Red Snapper, Baked Dorado filled with Avocado, Jumbo Prawns and Cream Cheese are only a few examples. Fresh Lobster is served during season – 1 Sept – 30 April. Buzz has a good Wine List and their Desserts are a must and all made on the premises. How about Caribbean Crème Brûlée or Warm Apple Crepes & Ice-Cream? Pat assured us that the changes she was making last year would give Buzz a fresh new look – well it certainly did. The Dining Room is cool and inviting and the Bar more intimate. While Mervin the bartender produces his outstanding cocktails he can also keep you amused for hours. Guests are still able to dine in the Garden under a fairy lit marquee. Buzz is open from 5.30 p.m. OPEN 7 DAYS A WEEK FROM DEC 1 TILL MARCH 31. CLOSED ON MONDAYS FROM MARCH 31 TILL DEC 1. Reservations are a must. Telephone: 458-0450. Credit Cards accepted. BIG CHEF STEAKHOUSE Rodney Bay 450-0210 Visit well known TV chef 'Big Chef' at his new Steak House in Rodney Bay by the first corner after the mall. The steakhouse features the biggest juiciest succulent tender USDA pure Angus Steaks plus a variety of pasta, seafood (the mussels are out of this world) and salad. There are strip loin and rib steaks cut at 14oz, 22oz, & 32oz plus the ladies favourite, 8oz tenderloin, which is used for fillet steak, pepper steak, surf & turf and jasmine royal, served with fresh seared fois gras. If 32oz is not enough Big Chef will cut a bigger one, as big as you can handle. Order the steak challenge and if you consume a 32oz rib or strip steak in full, you will get a certificate and enter the rank of 'Big Steak Master', plus get a free one pound rib or strip steak. Big Chef has created outstanding sauces like Au Poivre with green pepper corns, bourgogne and cognac/foie gras. All steaks are seasoned with Big Chef's unique secret spice, a flavour never matched. He is there every day except Sunday (closed) to make sure everything is well marinated, including the chef. Everything is very reasonably priced. After the main course, Mrs. Chef will tempt you with the most heavenly home made cheesecakes. A very small cozy place with lots of atmosphere and soothing dinner music, acclaimed by guests as best dinner value and quality in the world. Open from 6 pm except Sunday. Visa/Mastercard & American Express accepted. Reservations call 450-0210. THE CHARTHOUSE Rodney Bay 452-8115 The Charthouse is one of the longest established restaurants on the island. It has always maintained its reputation for excellent food, combined with impeccable, friendly service with staff virtually unchanged since its inception 17 years ago. Situated on the waterside in Rodney Bay, The Charthouse is naturally air-conditioned by the trade winds blowing through the open-plan building. The food is simple, honest-to-goodness cooking and everything is prepared to order. Specialties are charcoal broiled US prime steaks, fall-off-the-bone hickory smoked baby back spare ribs, roast prime rib of beef and the freshest seafood on the island, including local lobster (delivered daily by the fisherman who caught it). There is a large selection of wines and a wide choice of Cuban cigars. All major credit cards accepted. THE COAL POT Vigie Marina 452-5566 The Coal Pot has been a fine dining experience for the last forty years. Michelle Elliot and her French husband, Xavier, own and manage the restaurant - voted Restaurant of the Year in 1999. Michelle is the elegant hostess, Xavier is the chef sans pareil. New World cuisine, the marriage of the freshest Caribbean ingredients with simple yet exquisite, French cooking methods is The Coal Pot's trademark. At lunch, a daily special is served alongside dishes like Greek and shrimp salads. Fresh, local fish prepared in a variety of excellent sauces is an ideal lunch choice. Dinner, with linen service, is a relaxed affair. Coquilles St. Jacques and smoked salmon add a continental flair to local delicacies, such as curried chicken served in a coconut shell. There is also a selection of fine wine. The Coal Pot's ambiance is as special as the cuisine. The walls of the wood and stone open-air structure are decorated with colorful Caribbean art. These acrylic and water designs are Michelle's imaginative creations. Just a few feet away from the dining tables, the waters of the Vigie marina lap against the coral stone beach. On full moon nights, tables are set under the stars. The Coal Pot is not only a food lover's delight but an intimate place to lunch and dine. An extension of The Coal Pot is the Café au Lait. Open for breakfast and all day for light meals, Café au Lait serves French pastries, ice creams and specialty coffees. Ferry service available from Pointe Seraphine. SANDALS REGENCY St. Lucia GOLF RESORT & SPA La Toc 452-3081 The Pitons. Specializing in Caribbean cuisine, The Pitons is open for West Indian dinner every night of the week. The restaurant also opens for breakfast and lunch everyday except Mondays. The dress code is casually elegant. La Toc. This is Sandals' authentic French restaurant featuring fine European dining with white-glove service. La Toc is open for dinner every night. The dress code is formal. Reservations required. Kimono's. This restaurant serves exotic oriental cuisine. The setting is theatrical Teppanyaki style and due to Kimono's popularity, reservations are required. There is a no-smoking rule at Kimono and the dress code is casually elegant. Reservations are required. Arizona. This outdoor restaurant at Sandals St. Lucia specializes in every type of grilled meat and fish. A magnificent salad bar awaits diners and the Sandals' staff are appropriately dressed in ten gallon hats and cowboy boots. The ambiance is casual. Armando's. The newest specialty restaurant at Sandals Regency St. Lucia. This restaurant will leave your palate begging for more Italian cuisine. Perched beautifully on the Sunset Bluff, the dining experience is perfected by the ambiance. SANDALS HALCYON ST. LUCIA Choc Bay 453-0222 Mario's. This Italian restaurant offers a typically European setting. Excellent Italian specials are the order of the day and there is a good wine selection. Reservations are required and the dress code is formal. The Pier Restaurant. As the name indicates, this restaurant is situated on a pier right over the calm waters of the Caribbean Sea. The setting is quite unique. The cuisine at The Pier pays tribute to the best in West Indian cooking traditions. The dress code is elegantly casual. SANDALS GRANDE ST. LUCIAN SPA & BEACH RESORT Pigeon Island Causeway - 455-2000 Bayside. The International Bayside Restaurant, differentiated by an extensive menu, is open for buffet breakfast and lunch and A La Carte dinner. Barefoot By The Sea Restaurant. This restaurant specializes in Latin Caribbean cuisine, offering a beach side grill atmosphere for lunch and dinner, in a casual well-designed setting. Olde London Pub & Restaurant. The specialty is British cuisine. You can savour your choice of English cooking, enjoying steaks or chops, in a genuine old English setting, topped off with pool tables and darts. Toscanini's. Culinary magic unfolds with signature white glove service in this elegant Northern Italian Restaurant. Josephine's Creperie. For outstanding crepes, sweet and savoury, as well as your favourite coffee. FROGGIE JACQUES TROPICAL BISTRO Vigie Marina 458-1900 During the last 20 years, Jacky Rioux, the restaurant's owner and chef, has travelled all over the world. His voyages have given him a great appreciation for indigenous ingredients and he has developed his own style of fusion cuisine that combines fresh ingredients with French cooking methods. Jacky Rioux specializes in fish and seafood (fishermen are always bringing him unusual delicacies) and he shops personally for fresh produce. The result is meals cooked to perfection. Colourful appetizers and entrées have 'Eat Me' written all over them. Chef Rioux mixes his own spices and seasonings and, like most French chefs, he is a talented sauce maker. He also smokes his own meats. The restaurant's extensive wine list carries vintages from just about every wine-producing country in the world. The cocktail list contains old favourites and some seductive new concoctions. Cathy Rioux, the chef's wife, is the hostess at Froggie Jacques Tropical Bistro and the service is excellent. The restaurant is set in a tropical garden overlooking the Vigie Marina. Every evening the water is lit up to enhance the dinnertime ambiance. The lunch menu is a set selection written up on a blackboard. Dinner is à la carte and each dish is prepared to order. Popular selections include starters like octopus and conch in curried coconut sauce and main courses of boneless chicken breast stuffed with smoked salmon in a citrus butter sauce or oven baked kingfish with a white wine and sweet pepper sauce. Froggie Jacques Tropical Bistro is open Monday to Saturday for lunch and dinner. Reservations are advised. Visa, MasterCard and American Express accepted. DASHEENE Ladera, Soufriere 459-7323 The cuisine at Dasheene has been created by world-renowned Caribbean chef Orlando Satchel, who makes Ladera his winter home (in his absence, St. Lucian chef Nigel Mitchell runs things in the kitchen). Menus change every six months but the golden rule for Dasheene's cuisine is to combine St. Lucian ingredients with modern cooking styles. The restaurant, overlooking the Pitons, has one of the best views in St. Lucia. Lunch is an uncomplicated yet tasty menu with appetisers like Jazzy Ti-Zel (the manager's favourite) marinated chicken wings, a Cajun Caesar Salad and a selection of main courses. The dinner menu is described as 'St. Lucia's Peak Experience.' Appetisers start with lobster and seafood sausages and include the signature Dasheene Palm Tree salad. The main course menu makes decisions difficult. Choose from Shrimps Dasheene, a gold-medal winning dish, to 'What the Fishmen Catch Today,' all served with fresh vegetables. The desserts are positively delightful: Ladera Coco, a chocolate rum mousse served with coconut waffle, and Paw-paw Créme Brulée are just a couple of suggestions. There is also a menu du jour. Every Sunday, Dasheene throws a Sunday lunch party with a barbecue buffet and live music. Dinner reservations are requested. American Express accepted. RAINFOREST HIDEAWAY Marigot Bay 286-0511 Lush tropical landscaping surrounds the private dock where tables are set for dinner and lunch next to the quaint bar. Gentle jazz plays in the background. You can watch the boats coming and going in the tranquil inner bay. The owner, Chef Verity, cooks delicately flavoured dishes using the freshest ingredients. He has created a menu that offers a fusion of Asian, Oriental and Caribbean flavours. He specializes in locally caught fish and his personal specialty is sashimi. The dinner menu changes daily to reflect seasonal availability of ingredients. Main courses include seared fillet of Mahi-mahi served with a puree of sweet potato, garnished with ginger and red pepper sauce, or grilled fillet of beef with a chili chive crepe, stir-fry julienne vegetables and rich soy jus. The bar and lunch menus feature lighter fare with a selection of salads, burgers and fish dishes. The ambience is elegantly casual and cocktail hour is always a special time at the Hideaway. Carla's bar is stocked with a range of champagnes, fine wines, rums and whiskies, tropical cocktails and, of course, plenty of icy Pitons. The Rainforest Hideaway, with its sophisticated menu, relaxed atmosphere and warm, personal service is aiming to bring back great Marigot traditions and entice St. Lucians and visitors back to the bay. Rainforest Hideaway serves lunch and dinner six days a week. Reservations are recommended. To book a table, call 286 0511. THE GREEN PARROT RESTAURANT Morne Fortune 452-3399 The Green Parrot Hotel is a prestigious resort with an excellent restaurant. The property is tucked away on the hillside of the famous and historic Morne Fortune, commanding a superb panoramic view of the capital city of Castries, the Vigie coastline and the turquoise waters of the Caribbean Sea. The internationally acclaimed Green Parrot offers an excellent St. Lucian Caribbean and European cuisine. An impeccable service awaits guests and visitors alike, in an equally delightful and pleasant atmosphere, so much so in fact, that many have had the benefit of Chef Harry's glorious food. His Green Parrot Hotel has been home to Royalty and world famous people, from The Pope's entourage (1980's) to Princess Marguerite, to Alexander Haag and Pierre Trudeau. If you have not had the privilege of visiting the Green Parrot and St. Lucia's Chef Harry, then your taste buds have not yet been excited or tantalized by his heavenly delights. Chef Harry is world-renowned for his culinary expertise, backed by his 10 year cooking experience and professional training at the most exquisite and renowned Claridges Hotel in London. To experience the Chef's wonderful cooking creations, for lunch or dinner, call 452 3399 to make reservations. Parking is available. THE GREAT HOUSE RESTAURANT Cap Estate 450-0450 The Great House Restaurant combines the eloquent air of the plantation days with International and Caribbean Cusine, spiced with just an extra dash of Creole flair to bring you an exquisite dining experience possible only by stepping back into time to the splendid days of Great House living. This award winning restaurant caters for groups, special occasions, private parties or your special catering needs. A memorable, fine dining experience awaits in a glorious colonial setting with a magnificent view and romantic ambience. Join Chef Mouon and his friendly staff for afternoon tea from 4:30 pm to 5:30 pm, Happy Hour from 5:30 pm to 6:30 pm then stay for dinner from 6:30 pm to 9:45 pm. Closed on Mondays. THE MANDOLIN RESTAURANT Castries (Cara Suites) 758-452-4767 The Mandolin is a delightfully elegant open-air restaurant and bar on the front verandah of Cara Suites, just five minutes from Castries and the airport, and 15 minutes from Rodney Bay. With serene and refreshing views of the surrounding lush hillsides, brilliant tropical flowers in the hotel garden, the city of Castries below and the Caribbean Sea beyond, the restaurant offers the perfect escape from the hustle of the city at lunchtime, and the perfect venue for a business dinner, a family celebration or a romantic tryst in the evening. The Mandolin buffet lunches have been described as the tastiest on the island. In addition, our chef has developed a delicious and extensive a la carte menu of traditional European cuisine with a Caribbean flavour which is available for both lunch and dinner. And of course, you can expect it all to be delivered with the Cara trademark of excellent service. Bring along your copy of Visions Magazine for a 10% discount on your meal at the Mandolin. TAO Body Holiday at Le Sport - 457 7821 When a Caribbean restaurant is named by Conde Nast Traveller as one of the 60 'Hot Tables' in the world, you know you're on to something special. That something is TAO, the jewel in the crown of the BodyHoliday's gastronomy. The magazine calls TAO one of 'The world's most exciting new restaurants' and what prompts this accolade is the fusion of east and west cuisines prepared for results that are nothing short of stunning! TAO takes its name from an ancient Chinese philosophy in which seeming opposites balance each other and reveal the truth. Applying this to food, TAO engages your senses with the balance of an unexpected combination of flavours. This is food as art in both the taste sensations and presentation. It is also nutritionally excellent. TAO is the place where you might want to dress in your holiday finest to be in keeping with the elegance of its intimate Oriental ambiance and the grace of its first-class service. You feel special in this special place where you look out onto the moonlit sea while bamboo ceiling fans and Mother Nature circulate the refreshing breeze to keep you cool. A popular local magazine says that 'To miss dessert at TAO would be a travesty,' so go on and indulge. And after dinner choose from an exceptional array of fine rums, eau de vie and liqueurs with coffee on the outdoor terrace under the stars before you wander over to the show in the Clubhouse or a late night date with friends at the Piano Bar. You can talk about the food, we don't mind. In fact, we'd love it. SCUTTLEBUTTS BAR & GRILL On the Waterfront in Rodney Bay Marina - 452-0351 Relax and watch the world sail by as you cool off with an ice-cold beer and take a dip in our private swimming pool. Breakfast, lunch, or dinner, the Scuttlebutts crew will provide good service while you enjoy our friendly atmosphere and waterside ambience. Gather your shipmates and join us for dinner in the main restaurant, or on deck beneath the stars. Our menu has a favourite for everyone including Deck and a Half for hungry sailors, and Half-Deck portions for children. Sample our excellent wines, speciality drinks and cocktails, including a wide choice of Caribbean rums and shooters. So come-alongside and share a story in Scuttlebutts, we are open everyday until late. We have easy access for car parking and ample mooring facilities for dinghies. We also provide Internet access, daily weather-watch, crew-news, plus delivery service from restaurant to boat. For more information call 452 - 0351 or VHF Channel 68. Tie-up at Scuttlebutts. WINDJAMMER LANDING VILLA BEACH RESORT & SPA Labrelotte Bay 456-9000 Dragonfly - 'Euro Caribbean Cuisine with an influence of Asia'. The very best of the 'East' merges with the finest of the 'West', in a great fusion of Caribbean and Asian Cuisine. The Restaurant is carefully appointed with the finest in Asian teak furniture and tastefully decorated with some of St. Lucia's most beautiful flora. Papa Don's - This intimate Mediterranean style Taverna is located above the Island Pool. Its mountain side terrace offers spectacular views of Martinique. This restaurant offers great pizza from our wood burning ovens, fresh pasta and a selection of Italian and Mediterranean dishes. Jammer's Bar - The place for exotic cocktails and mid-day lunch. Everyday, our Bartenders create new tropical drinks and the beer is always ice cold. Happy Hour is from 5-6 pm. The Upper Deck - Fine 'Sunshine Cuisine' within a nautical feel in this alfresco style restaurant. Diners can choose from the evening A La Carte menu offering sumptuous seafood delicacies, grilled steaks, kebabs, salads sandwiches and much more. Our daily 'Captains Table Menu' for the adventurous guest is also available.
  • ISLAND HAPPENINGS THE MOST BEAUTIFUL BAY IN THE CARIBBEAN When the St. Lucia Tourist Board struggled to come up with a clever line to describe this amazing island they eventually admitted defeat and went for the obvious. Everybody agreed - St. Lucia is simply beautiful. The stunning scenery is a bigger and better real life poster that any public relations company could possibly design and one of the most well known St. Lucian landmarks is of course, Marigot Bay. ACTION And Marigot is more than just a picturesque part of St. Lucia, it's also been called the most beautiful bay in the Caribbean. It looks like the most peaceful place in the world and it's said to have a spiritual energy path running through it, but appearances can be deceptive – Marigot has seen a lot of action over the centuries. Its deep water and hidden inner harbour made it a popular pirates' bolt hole and both the French and British fleets anchored there during their long battles to gain control of the Helen of the West Indies as St. Lucia is generally known. CELEBRITY SECRETS In the twentieth century there has been more movie action than real battles fought in the bay. Because of its dramatic surrounding hills and snug harbour, Marigot has become a favourite movie location. Starting with the original Dr. Dolittle starring Rex Harrison and followed by a string of comedies and action movies including Water with Michael Caine and Fire Power with Sophia Loren. Many film stars fell in love with it and a number of celebrity homes are dotted around, hidden by the dense rainforest vegetation and known only to their owners and the local residents. At the height of the season, celebrity spotting is as popular as bird watching in some of the local bars. COME BACK TO THE BAY Right now, some exciting developments are underway. Discovery at Marigot Bay, a new five star spa hotel and marina village is under construction and due to open in 2005. There will be a fabulous choice of bars, restaurants, a coffee shop and bakery as well as boutiques and facilities for visiting yachts. RAINFOREST HIDEAWAY The Discovery development has already triggered a new sense of excitement in Marigot and an independent new restaurant has already opened – the Rainforest Hideaway is a sophisticated little champagne bar with great food and wines, in the most romantic setting imaginable and well worth the short ferry ride to the far side of the inner bay. There's no doubt about it, Marigot won't be just a photo opportunity for much longer – it's already becoming an exciting destination with a great choice of dining, shopping and liming. INTRODUCING CALABASH COVE The Calabash, inaugurated in December 2004, is a five star resort. The 23 beautifully designed mahogany and teak villas with roman baths and outdoor rain showers are wrapped around the terrain in complete harmony with the environment. Calabash Cove is an adult's only resort. It caters to discerning international travelers looking for a tranquil holiday experience. During phase 2 of the project, 30 luxury one-bedroom suites will be added along with a French restaurant, the Calabash House and a private dock. The visionaries behind Calabash Cove are Austrian, Robert J. Buchsbaum, who has worked for thirty years in hotel management and marketing in Europe, the United States and the Far East. Chris Mullings is a St. Lucian national. Robert Buchsbaum recalls his first impressions of the Calabash Cove site: 'Driving down a steep hill we arrived at this hillside jungle on the Caribbean Sea. The unspoiled beauty captured me and gave me an inner harmony that I last felt in the Far East.' DIGICEL KEEPS ST. LUCIA CONNECTED Digicel entered the Eastern Caribbean with the launch of its services in St. Lucia on March 24th, 2003. The Digicel network is based on superior GSM technology. Global System for Mobile Communications (GSM) is a European standard that is now widely adopted worldwide. It provides much better quality than existing systems in St. Lucia and ensures a crystal clear, secure mode of communication. GSM is used by over 70% of the world's mobile customers. By entering the local market, Digicel introduced state-of-the art technology, smart new handsets, innovative and competitive rate plans, to a then monopolized mobile communications market. Digicel has within its tenure, become ingrained in the economic, cultural and social aspects of St. Lucia's development. Digicel directly employs over 60 local staff members at its OECS headquarters in Massade Industrial Estate, Gros-Islet and has paved the way for 5 local entrepreneurs, who now manage between them, a total of 21 outlets. Digicel also commissions a total of over 700 DigiFlex card dealers island-wide. Just look for the Digicel sign outside various business places on the island. Digicel just launched the General Packet Radio Service (GPRS) system in St. Lucia. The GPRS Service is a value added non-voice service that allows information to be sent and received across a GSM mobile telephone network. Digicel customers will now be able to access the Internet, browse the Web, check and send emails, take and send picture messages, download music and ring tones and play unlimited games. WINDJAMMER GETS A MAKEOVER AND A SPICEY NEW MENU Windjammer Landing's Chef Bobo Bergstrom unveils his latest, innovative menu for the renovated waterside restaurant, the Dragonfly. Renowned for its romantic ambiance and seafood dishes (including its signature ceviches), Dragonfly's new menu includes cilantro-cured tuna with wasabi sauce and pan seared duck foie gras on a pineapple, caramel and chocolate brioche. Dragonfly also presents several new signature dishes such as fresh lime glazed pork tenderloin, served in a passion fruit ragout, with sweet potato gratin and hot pepper chocolate sauce, and a range of mouth-watering sweeter options to tempt all but the hardened dieter. Dragonfly restaurant sits above the pristine white-sand beach of Labrelotte Bay overlooking the Caribbean Sea. The exotic décor of dark wooden shutters, bright fabrics, and simple rattan furniture lend an air of timeless elegance. About Chef Bobo Bergstrom: Chef Bobo was born in Stockholm, Sweden. He has more than 20 years experience in the culinary arts. He was Executive Chef to the Royal Court of Sweden, where he planned and prepared menus for State visits by Nelson Mandela, former American presidents and European leaders including the Prime Minster of Great Britain. His dishes reflect a French influence combined with Asian and island flavours. He worked as Executive Chef at The Friendship Bay Hotel, in Bequia, and at the Pier Restaurant, Jalousie Hilton, St. Lucia. He was voted St. Lucia's Chef of the Year and was team leader at the 'Taste of the Caribbean Culinary Awards' where St. Lucia won the gold medal. ALWAYS IN TOUCH WITH CABLE AND WIRELESS During your St. Lucia vacation, Cable & Wireless makes it easy for you to stay in touch with friends, family or, Heaven forbid, the office. You really can get away from it all and still get it all. Cable & Wireless operates St. Lucia's only triple technology mobile network, with TDMA, GSM and GPRS services under the bMobile brand. Stay connected on your travels, with the widest range of available options. If you've brought your mobile phone with you, you're in luck! Roaming in St. Lucia is easy, with a TDMA or GSM phone. Our TDMA frequency is 800 MHz on the A band; GSM is 850/1900MHz. Will your phone work in St. Lucia? Call 1 800 804 2994 or e-mail talk2us@candw.lc to find out. Forgot to bring your phone? No problem for a small daily fee, you can rent a mobile phone from any Cable & Wireless store. Get a bMobile Prepaid card and call home to boast about what a great time you're having. With bMobile, access text messaging, mobile mail, picture messaging and more. Get online with a GPRS-capable handset or PDA, or a laptop computer; check your stocks or send some poolside photos. You can call home from a fixed line, too. To make operator-assisted international calls, dial 0 and state your requirements. The operator can connect you 'person to person' or 'station to station.' Use your credit card (VISA, Mastercard, American Express, Discover) from any touch-tone phone to call to anywhere in the world. To call the US, dial 1 800 Call USA (225 5872); to call other countries dial 1 800 744 7777. Control the amount you spend and leave out the operator by picking up our convenient Prepaid Fixed Line Cards. Prepaid Fixed Line Cards can also be used to access the Internet for less that US$0.03 per minute. Remember, you can access an international overseas operator on 411 when directory assistance is required from another country. Our telecommunications solutions are available at Cable & Wireless outlets islandwide. The Pointe Seraphine Internet Café, ideally located in St. Lucia's main shopping facility, offers everything from Internet access to phone cards. Our bMobile store on Bridge Street (Castries) and customer service outlets at Gablewoods Mall (Castries) and Daher Building (Vieux Fort) are open Monday to Friday. We also have retail outlets at Julian's Supermarket in the Conway Business Centre; Gablewoods Mall; Julian's, Rodney Bay; JQ's Supermarket, Rodney Bay; and the Daher Building. Cable & Wireless, St. Lucia's only complete service telecommunications provider, offers world-class products and services. A ST. LUCIAN LOVE LETTER From Patricia Maxwell Lewis, BBC Television Producer As relationships go, twenty-five years is a long time to keep up a love affair. St. Lucia was an island learning the art of welcoming visitors and I was young with a penchant for rum and coke. We got on very well together and I kept on coming back for more. But you need more than sun and fun, you need spice. Six years ago my appetite for something new drew me into a small seafood restaurant on the main drag at Rodney Bay. Called simply, Buzz, it looked fresh and Caribbean. A silly thing to say but a good Caribbean restaurant is like that man, hard to find. Returning this year, Buzz has taken the lead in the Rodney Bay heartland. Lobster, crab, shrimp and tuna, jumbo prawns, Dorado and snapper. Rodney Bay is a stone's throw away from one of the island's oldest fishing villages, and Buzz's owner, Pat Bowden, has used her insider's intelligence to make sure her supplies are simply the freshest and the best. Pat, a citizen of the world, has worked alongside her chef, Marie, for 29 years. Knowing the fickle and fast moving tastes of the global traveller, they've established Caribbean cuisine on the international foodies map. Start in the bar where Mervin mixes a mean cocktail as well as regaling you with his Caribbean tales. Heard the one about Mel Gibson.....? When you're ready for your gourmet adventure, choose between the restaurant and the romantic al fresco setting beneath the garden marquee's fairy lights. Don't be phased by the menu - ask! Pat and her colleague Donna answer all questions and you'll feel like you're Pat's personal guests. Starters include homemade lobster ravioli, Thai Mussels, crab cakes or Shrimp Tempura. And you'll want to know what 'Tonight's Specials' are as well as wallowing in the luxury of the à la carte menu. If one of your party is a bit thin on seafood, main courses include Moroccan Spiced Lamb Shanks (a favourite of mine), Chicken Wellington or, turning up the heat, West Indian Pepperpot and Seafood Creole. Add to that Pat's time-honoured Char-grilled Steaks, BBQ Baby Back Ribs, salads, veggie dishes and pasta and you'll realize this is someone who has what it takes to make a satisfied customer. But back to the seafood. Only fish delivered fresh that day is served. Tuna seared à point, Potato Crusted Snapper, Baked Dorado oozing the yummiest avocado filling and Jumbo prawns confident in their cream cheese confit. The wine cellar is varied and all desserts are made on the premises. Being a crème brulée queen I had to try Marie's Caribbean twist. Superb. And am I still in love? There is no doubt about it. ST. LUCIA DISTILLERS RUM AWARDS During its last competition held in the unlikely setting of St. John's in Newfoundland, Canada, the International Rum Festival, the world's largest rum tasting competition awarded nearly every gold medal to St. Lucia Distillers. Indeed, this small distillery located in the Roseau Valley has dominated the competition for the last five years. In Newfoundland, St. Lucia Distillers won eight gold medals, an unprecedented feat in the competition's history. Seven silver medals and four bronzes were also part of the Olympian haul. The people at St. Lucia Distillers are proud of their reputation. For three generations the distillery has been owned and operated by the Barnard family who has worked ceaselessly to modernize and expand operations. This dedication has resulted in HACCP certification, the official international standard on food safety. The distillery recently added a new bottling line and installed two pot stills. The company is now able to produce a wide range of rum, liqueurs and rum-based products. Crème La Caye is a surprising blend of cream, custard, spices and rum. Peanut Punch is made from roasted peanuts, spices and rum. Zmoss is made from Caribbean seamoss and blended with coconut rum. Crystal Lime is made from clear white rum and key limes. Award winning, Admiral Rodney, an aged blend, was voted the best Caribbean rum at the International Rum Festival. The Chairman's Reserve is specially aged rum selected by the distillery chairman. For the last twelve years St. Lucia Distillers has supplied the store brand rums of large supermarket chains in the United Kingdom. This is a major achievement as the company competes against international distillers for this market. St. Lucia Distillers also exports to several Caribbean territories, including the islands of the Organization of Eastern Caribbean States, Barbados, Trinidad and St. Maarten. While in St. Lucia, take the Rhythm of Rum tour to St. Lucia Distillers. Rum tasting is offered and the products are on sale. St. Lucia Distillers' products are also available at duty free shops on the island. CARA SUITES After only two years of operations, Cara Suites is growing. Twenty six executive rooms and 2 executive suites will be added to the centrally located property at La Pansée, overlooking Castries. Additional leisure facilities including a gym and an upgraded pool area will be a part of the new expansion along with new meeting rooms and a renovated lounge area. With its proximity to the Castries city centre, Cara Suites is the businessman's hotel. The Trinidadian-owned property intends to be the leader in this field. In Trinidad, Cara Suites has already a well-established reputation among business travellers. The Cara Suites Hotel & Conference Center at Pointe a Pierre, in south-central Trinidad, received the 'Robert Montano Award for Excellence in Service' from the South Trinidad Chamber of Industry and Commerce, and the 'Customer Satisfaction 2004 Award' from the Trinidad and Tobago Ministry of Tourism. Says General Manager, Helen Logan-Alcala: 'We have an ongoing product improvement programme which is built on the premise of customer satisfaction.' With its hotels in Trinidad, Guyana and St. Lucia, Cara Hotels is building a fine reputation throughout the region. 'As a regionally developed hotel company, it is particularly pleasing to beat the international hotel brands,' says Co-Founder and Chairman of Cara Hotels, Paul Stephenson. CHARTHOUSE The décor is unmistakable. Wild ferns cascade overhead, vines creep up wooden pillars, potted plants hang along the balcony railings and the night-lights glisten over the shallow waters of Rodney Bay marina. With all this ambiance, you know you are in for a great night out. You are at the Charthouse – St. Lucia's oldest and finest seafood and steak restaurant. Founder and owner, Nick Ashworth, has successfully run the establishment for the last 21 years. Indeed, the Charthouse was the first restaurant to open in the Rodney Bay area. As a veteran in the hospitality industry, Nick Ashworth knows all the right formulas for keeping the customers satisfied. Charthouse, the only restaurant in St. Lucia to offer US prime beef, has always specialized in steak and seafood. Spare ribs were a later addition to the menu. 'Next to lobster which is a seasonal item, spare ribs are our best seller,' says Nick. Ninety percent of the Charthouse clientele comes from the hotels around Rodney Bay that are all within easy walking distance. His best form of advertisement, he says, is his consistent reputation. 'People are always talking about us.' He also cites the Rodney Bay Marina as a major source of business, describing it as 'a 300-bed floating hotel'. Staff loyalty is a trademark of the Charthouse. 'Most of my staff have been with me for the last 18 or 19 years,' says Nick. In addition to the Charthouse, Nick and his wife Indera own and operate Hooters and Pizza Pizza – with its childrens' playground and outdoor bar where parents and patrons can unwind and chat over a drink. COCO KREOLE EXPANDS St. Lucia's newest small hotel is undergoing major expansion in time for the upcoming winter season. Coco Creole, formerly Candyo Inn, is adding 84 rooms. Seventy-two are to be standard rooms; the additional 12 will be suites. The first phase of this expansion, valued at EC$17 million, is scheduled for completion by April 2005. The new section, to be called Coco Palm, sits on 5 acres of land adjoining the existing property. A second phase of expansion will see the construction of another 80 rooms to be completed in time for the Cricket World Cup in 2007. The new property will be called Coco Resorts. When completed, the property will have two pools, a restaurant, a gym, two massage rooms, a fully air-conditioned indoor entertainment centre, and a convention facility. The expansion of Coco Kreole forms part of the new development thrust to market the Rodney Bay area as St. Lucia's tourism capital with a range of hotels, restaurants, entertainment, sports and recreation facilities located in one area. As part of the Rodney Bay Village concept, guests of Coco Resorts will be offered attractive discounts packages for dining at restaurants within the village. Allen Chastanet is owner and manager of Coco Kreole. He is the former Vice President of Marketing with Air Jamaica as well as a former Director of Tourism in St. Lucia. Said Chastanet: 'From the time we opened Coco Kreole in November of 2003, we always intended to expand.' Coco Resorts will do away with the traditional check-in desk. Guest will have free Internet access in their rooms, at the reception and in the pool area. The suites will be fitted with a sound system, and rooms will be equipped with TV and DVD. Coco Resorts will also personalize vacations. Multi-lingual hosts will be individually assigned to guests. Coco Resorts is aimed at the seasoned vacationer looking to interact with the local community. In keeping with the new Rodney Bay Village concept, Chastanet says his ideal client is 'young at heart and free spirited.' RODNEY BAY VILLAGE With its restaurants, nightclubs, well-equipped marina, beach resorts and guesthouses, tour and car rental agencies and shopping mall, Rodney Bay is the nucleus of tourism activity on the island. Since his return to St. Lucia in November 2003 to open Coco Kreole hotel, Allen Chastanet has worked to mobilize residents and business owners within the Rodney Bay area and bring about a collective approach to management and marketing. This initiative has resulted in the renaming of the area. Rodney Bay Village is the newest St. Lucian community. The Rodney Bay Village Association oversees its activities. Chastanet says: 'The great thing about Rodney Bay Village is that you have a multitude of choices within walking distance.' Chastanet says that key to the new concept is to ensure that the commercial and residential sectors in Rodney Bay co-exist harmoniously. Since its launch in April 2004, the Rodney Bay Village Association has been active. The Village staged a major concert featuring world-renowned saxophonist Ronnie Laws with St. Lucia's Boo Hinkson. The Village is also the newest venue in the north for the St. Lucia Jazz Festival. Floetry and Magic Malik were among the acts that set The Village alive during St. Lucia Jazz 2004. The Association has applied to the government for special incentives. Members want to reinvest 35% of government hotel occupancy tax on signage, new sidewalks, landscaping and the installation of surveillance cameras at strategic points. A sanitation company has been contracted to clean the area and a landscape architect hired to beautify the new village. The Association has also recommended the construction of a roundabout at the intersection of Rodney Bay and the Castries-Gros Islet highway. Government has already agreed to repave the roads in The Village. A newsletter entitled The Village Voice has been launched and a television commercial promoting Rodney Bay Village is broadcast on local television stations. Association members will jointly market Rodney Bay Village at overseas trade fairs. To enhance its image as the central point for all major tourism activity in St. Lucia, Rodney Bay Village is promoting its proximity to important landmarks and facilities such as Pigeon Island National Park, Rodney Bay Marina and the Beausejour Cricket Ground. THE BODY HOLIDAY When you come to The BodyHoliday at LeSPORT you will immediately understand why European Condé Nast Traveller magazine named it the number one Overseas Destination Spa in the world and one of the top ten on The 100 Best of The Best Things in Travel. And the readers concur. Earlier this year, Condé Nast readership voted the spa among the top ten in the world. But The BodyHoliday is much more. It's also a memorable holiday that combines an active beach holiday with sports, exercise programmes, personal service and great food. TAO is one of the four on-site restaurants and presents a fusion of East-West cuisine. Recently included in Condé Nast Traveller Top 60 Hot Tables, TAO's unique menu and varied wine list, prides itself in combining flavours and themes to titillate the senses. Forty-five percent of the guests at The BodyHoliday at LeSPORT come back for more. One particular accolade sums up perfectly what The BodyHoliday at LeSport is all about. 'The press has dubbed The BodyHoliday the #1 spa in the world, but strangely enough, that's not quite how I see it. A spa suggests some kind of imposed rigour, and they don't impose anything. At breakfast, for example, alongside the skimmed milk, you find delicious full-fat yoghurt, egg-white omelettes beside the real thing made to order, cassava bread next to wheat bread, and low-fat cream cheese beside the hash brown potatoes. A dedicated spa might frown on alcohol, but the bars are stocked with the best brands of liquid pleasure. At dinner wines are served to best compliment the menu. Pleasure doesn't need permission and it certainly isn't rationed.' BIG CHEF STEAKHOUSE Big Chef Steakhouse in Rodney Bay, serving top class Angus steaks char-grilled with a secret blend of hickory flavored spices, has earned a Double Diamond Rating from the prestigious AAA/CAA (American Automobile Association/ Canadian Automobile Association) organization. Out of 855,000 applying restaurants only 12,000 are chosen. The nomination was confirmed after anonymous inspection and testing of food quality and service. Inspectors enter as normal guests and only when they have paid their bill, will they reveal their identity, if the establishment is considered worthy of an award. Another milestone was reached at Big Chef Steakhouse when a visitor consumed the biggest ever cut of steak. The old record was 64 ounces until the latest guest asked Big Chef to cut a 65-ounce rib steak. He did the steak full honours and went on to enjoy a large slice of Mrs. Chef's Famous homemade Cheese Cake. Big Chef, whose real name is Peter Richard Kouly, began the Big Steak Masters award when he opened the Big Chef Steakhouse some three years ago. To become a Steak Master you must consume every bit of a 32-ounce steak and Big Chef will offer you a free 16-ounce steak. You can have your free steak right away or come back for it another day. There are now over 250 Steak Master Certificates hanging on the walls of Big Chef Steakhouse. Big Chef is himself a Steak Master. During one of his cooking shows entitled 'One Big Chef', he actually consumed a 40-ounce rare rib steak with foie gras, mushrooms, pan-fried potatoes and Cognac sauce. Big Chef wears many hats. During the day he is involved in real estate development (he always has a good deal up his sleeve), television cooking shows as well as performing the duties of Consul for Denmark and Sweden. The Queen of Denmark has even knighted him. Recently he was the invited feature speaker at a distinguished gathering of heart specialists. He is not a cardiologist, however, he offered the doctors a new perspective on the prevention of heart disease. To ward off bad cholesterol, drink one bottle of red wine a day. It works like Draino on the arteries and cleans the blood too. Medicine never tasted better. One bottle of red wine a day for health and another one at night for pleasure. There is never a dull moment at the Big Chef Steakhouse. BERTHIA PARLE 'You can't say to me that we have this industry (tourism), which generates billions of dollars for the region, yet it is never on Caricom's agenda!' said Mrs. Parle, a militant defender of the business for the past 27 years. Some of the Caribbean's leaders supported her arguments. Antigua and Barbuda's Prime Minister, Baldwin Spencer said that it was 'wrong' for tourism to be excluded from Summit agenda. The prime ministers of the Bahamas and Barbados also expressed similar sentiments. 'There are a few prime ministers who see things our way. After my presentation five of them defended my stance on the tourism industry,' said Mrs. Parle. Mrs. Parle is campaigning for greater government support for tourism. Policy, legislation and incentives for the sector need to be clearly defined by regional authorities. Island infrastructure also needs to be upgraded in order to keep the Caribbean a competitive destination. As President of the Caribbean Hotel Association, Berthia Parle heads the largest and most influential tourism body in the region. One thousand hotels with 125,000 rooms and 800 allied members including airlines, travel agents, restaurants and other key stakeholders in the hospitality sector make up the organisation's membership. 'We deserve to be heard', she says. She intends to use her term in office to continue pushing for a coherent government approach to the tourism industry. Berthia Parle is a pioneer in the Caribbean. Four years ago, she became the first woman to elected to the CHA's executive. Prior to becoming president, she held the position of 5th Vice President. Despite the prestige and the high visibility, the post of CHA president is voluntary and Mrs. Parle continues her work as General Manager at St. Lucia's Bay Gardens Hotel. Indeed, 2004 has been a landmark year for women within the Caribbean Hotel Association. Not only did the organization induct its first woman president, the Pastry Chef of the Year was a woman and for the first time ever, a woman emerged as Bartender of the Year. Today most of the Executive Vice Presidents of Hotel Associations in the region are also women. Said Mrs. Parle: 'My vision for the Caribbean hotel industry is for greater unity among the islands. We forget that we all belong to this amazing region, this mosaic, that's so culturally diverse. There is so much going for us yet we are not tapping into the full potential of our natural resources, our history and our culture. We should also share resources and information with each other, especially research data. We must foster an intra-Caribbean experience.' THE RAINFOREST HIDEAWAY The Rainforest Hideaway, St. Lucia's newest fine restaurant, is tucked in the mangroves on the edge of Marigot Bay, a place described by many writers as the most beautiful bay in the Caribbean. Lush tropical landscaping surrounds the private dock where tables are set for dinner and lunch next to the quaint bar. Gentle jazz plays in the background. You can watch the boats coming and going in the tranquil inner bay. Fish leap out of the water and huge frigate birds swoop down to catch them. In fact, this sheltered harbour is a great place to watch an amazing variety of exotic birds and butterflies. When you look into the water under the dock you might be looking into an aquarium–colourful reef fish wait for scraps. The owner, Chef Verity, cooks delicately flavoured dishes using the freshest ingredients. He has created a menu that offers a fusion of Asian, Oriental and Caribbean flavours. He specializes in locally caught fish and his personal specialty is sashimi. The dinner menu changes daily to reflect seasonal availability of ingredients. Starter selections include vanilla ravioli stuffed with ginger and coconut crab, served with a lime and coriander dressing, or scallops and king prawns sautéed in garlic and served with a yellow capsicum sauce. Main courses include seared fillet of Mahi-mahi served with a puree of sweet potato, garnished with ginger and red pepper sauce, or grilled fillet of beef with a chili chive crepe, stir-fry julienne vegetables and rich soy jus. The bar and lunch menus feature lighter fare with a selection of salads, burgers and fish dishes. The ambience is elegantly casual and cocktail hour is always a special time at the Hideaway. Carla's bar is stocked with a range of champagnes, fine wines, rums and whiskies, tropical cocktails and, of course, plenty of icy Pitons. Some of the most famous yachts in the world sail into Marigot's deep waters and celebrity spotting is a favourite activity. The bay used to be known as a romantic getaway, a place to escape for lunch or dinner with somebody special or as a chic, private party location. The Rainforest Hideaway, with its sophisticated menu, relaxed atmosphere and warm, personal service is aiming to bring back these great Marigot traditions and entice St. Lucians and visitors back to the bay. Rainforest Hideaway serves lunch and dinner six days a week. Reservations are recommended. To book a table, call 286 0511. Young chef with big ambitions James Verity, the Rainforest Hideaway's owner and chef is only 25 years old. He is a classically trained French chef and has worked as head chef and sous chef at several prestigious British restaurants, including the Black Olive Restaurant in Hampton Court and the Burnt Chair in Richmond. In Ireland, he worked at the Cahore Castle Hotel in County Wexford. He has also worked throughout the Caribbean and North America, notably as chef on board the private charter yacht S.V. L'Esprit Du Nord. 'The most important ingredient when it comes to preparing great dishes is imagination. I have started with a small, but very high quality international menu which uses the bounty of the sea and produce straight from local farmers,' says Chef Verity. 'I am so excited to have the opportunity to work in St. Lucia and at such a fantastic location,' he added. 'This is a new experience and I am confident I will be able to build an excellent team here.' THE GREAT HOUSE The Great House restaurant at Cap Estate has been recognized as one of the five best in the Caribbean. Readers of Caribbean Life and Travel magazine chose the Great House for its excellent cuisine and elegant ambiance. The restaurant is a restored great house that once hosted Admiral Horatio Nelson on one of his Caribbean missions. The establishment still retains its old colonial charm. Chef Mouyon, a specialist in French cuisine, creates the menus at the Great House restaurant. He has added a Creole touch to his dishes and faithful clients keep coming back to sample his à la carte dinner menu that changes every two months. Chef Mouyon is also proud of his extensive wine list. To enjoy the full effect of the setting, the Great House opens at tea time. Guests take in the magnificent sunset from the panoramic perch of the cool terrace. Tea time runs into happy hour and dinner is served from 6.30pm until 9.45pm. A guitarist plays at dinner on Saturday night. The Great House is also popular for weddings, private parties and accepts special catering orders. THE VILLAGE INN AND SPA AT RODNEY BAY The old Rainbow Hotel is being transformed into The Village Inn & Spa at Rodney Bay. The conversion is costing US$650,000. Twenty of the 76 rooms are being turned into junior suites complete with king size beds, TV, DVD and DSL ports. A spa will be part of the new services offered at the hotel. The swimming pool area will be modified to include a second pool and a waterfall. Two Jacuzzis are to be added and an open-air Italian restaurant will be set on the pool deck. The hotel's lobby has also been remodeled. The hotel shares the same ownership as the St. Lucia Golf & Country Club and reciprocal benefits will be enjoyed by hotel guests and members of the Club. The Village Inn aims to attract more business travellers and, in addition to an already large British clientele, new promotional initiatives will target American and Caribbean markets. General Manager, Lawrence Samuel says that the makeover is timely. Caribbean tourism is enjoying new momentum and growth after the massive slump in 2001 following the terrorist attacks on New York. The change of name to the Village Inn is in keeping with the new Rodney Bay Village concept. Samuel says that offering visitors everything they want in one village is one of the most innovative ideas in St. Lucia's tourism development. The Village Inn & Spa will be the signature hotel of the Rodney Bay Village. ST. LUCIA GOLF CLUB The St. Lucia Golf & Country Club at Cap Estate in the extreme north of the island, sets the standard for golfing pleasure. It is St. Lucia's only 18-hole golf course and its state-of-the-art irrigation system ensures lush greens and fairways all year-round. With its undulating ranges, enchanting views of the northeast coast, artificial and natural ponds frequented by tropical birds, it is the complete golfer's paradise. In an effort to maintain the high standards of the course, the Golf and Country Club has acquired the services of Paul Shepard, who worked as Golf Superintendent at the famous St. Andrews in his native Trinidad. Plans for a new Club House next to the driving range are being finalised. Construction will begin at the end of 2004. As part of its community service programme, the golf club works in partnership with the Multi-Cultural Golf Association of America. Together they organize a Youth Empowerment Programme that introduces St. Lucian youth to golf and raises money for youth oriented projects. With its weekly sessions for young golfers, the programme has become a cornerstone of the Golf and Country Club. 'We intend to dispel the myth that golf is only for the rich and famous,' says Lawrence Samuel, general manager of the club. The Golf and Country Club also operates a real estate office. The latest developments include a seven-acre, high-density time-share project next to the golf club. 'We're also looking at building luxurious homes, adjacent to the new club house,' said Lawrence Samuel. In addition, there is the Mount Hardy Development overlooking the golf course, with compelling views of the Atlantic Ocean. The first phase is sold out and the second part of the project, known as Sea Breeze Hills is set to commence. Samuel believes that real estate promotion is a way to diversify the island's tourism product. 'Vacation ownership and time share properties are niche markets with tremendous potential for growth,' he said. A STATE-OF-THE-ART INTERPRETATION CENTER OPENS IN CASTRIES Already, it ranks as the most state-of-the-art sound and light, 3D display in this part of the Caribbean. It is still un-named, though by the time this issue of Visions finds itself in your hands, it will have been given a permanent character and branding. And by your next cruise or stay-over stop, you will be able to check out the proof of the pudding. We can say however, the new facility will serve the double purpose of exhibition and theatrical show, as well as memorial to a man who saw a synergy between packaging St. Lucia's colourful in captivating experience for the captive cruise market and the using this strategy to convert the cruise tourist to stay over tourist. The animation centre was in fact the brainchild of the late Desmond Skeete whose untimely passing denied him the chance to see this visionary undertaking through to completion. Castries, the crossroads of the Caribbean – is set in an immersion environment. This type of setting is used successfully throughout the museum and theme park industries to engage visitors. It creates an amazing experience for the viewer by using the seamless integration of different systems. A script marries the elements of sound, light, voice and music to transform the animation and add a human element enhanced by lighting, audio and special effects. The show dramatizes a variety of facts surrounding the history and culture of St. Lucia and the area surrounding Castries in particular. The Animation Centre promises the most recent technology of 3D projection, vibre optics, 5.1 ch sound using 21 sources over 1000 addresses for operating the various components. Transducers are used to provide the movement of the floor of the viewing area at specific times. A model of Castries, fully scaled has been developed to map out the road network, harbours and lights. Fibre optics are also used for the demonstration of our volcanic origin. These items are brought together with a Script of St. Lucia's History that ranges form 2000BC through to 1605 when the Dutch ship 'Oliphe Blossome' finds St. Lucia. The time line continues through the Castries fire through to the coal, sugar and banana era to the present, where tourism is being realized as the main Industry. St. Lucian Anthropologist and Historian Robert Devaux served as the history consultant for the project, to advise on and verify key sequential events. Adrian Augier produced the storyline which captures the significant highlights in St. Lucia's history and truly tells the story of the island's strategic place in the political interplay between Europe's larger nations of the day. The exhibit will be located on the third floor of the recently constructed building on the Castries Waterfront. It is anticipated to be as exciting for residents as well as visitors to the island. DUTY FREE POINTE SERAPHINE EXPANDS The National Development Corporation (NDC), which owns and manages the Complex, has already started preparatory work. The expansion will transform the shopping complex into a walking tour, designed to attract the 25-35% of cruise passengers who remain on board the vessel during their day-long stop over at Port Castries. It will offer new services and entertainment activities for passengers who wish to stay close to their ship. The need for this expansion project is also due in part to the high demand for shop space at the port, and the projected steady growth of cruise and stay over arrivals. The additional 39 units will include waterfront cafés, an exhibition center and museum. An attractive promenade with botanical gardens and an aquarium will be new features of the extension. 'Completion is projected for the last quarter of 2006, in time for the anticipated influx of avid cricket fans for Cricket World Cup,' says Wayne Vitalis, General Manager at the National Development Corporation. Pointe Seraphine Duty Free Shopping Complex was opened in 1987. Cruise ship passengers were its initial target market. Seventeen years later, the complex is a sure stop for stay-over visitors as well as local shoppers. In 2004, it became the venue for JAZZ ON THE PIER - one of the latest fringe events on the St. Lucia Jazz calendar. KEEPING THE HERITAGE IN TOURISM Since its introduction some fifteen years ago, the St. Lucia Heritage Tourism Project has opened new avenues of discovery to visitors and has made St. Lucia much more than just a sun, sand and sea destination. Vacation itineraries are now enriched with days spent at working plantations, swimming in privately owned waterfalls or simply meeting and chatting with St. Lucians who speak Creole. The Heritage Tourism Project helps to market and manage 15 specially selected sites around the island. All of these attractions were previously unknown and were chosen not only for their beauty and cultural interest but also because their careful and conscientious exploitation permits host communities to benefit directly from visitor expenditure. And the people at the Project are always improving the concept. The new emphasis is on the eastern side of the island that boasts breathtaking views of the Atlantic Ocean. The Eastern Nature Trail, soon to be renamed: 'The Atlantic Coast Hike' is one of the best-maintained coastal trails on the island. It covers 3.5 miles along the east-central part of St. Lucia and lies within the proposed Praslin Protected Landscape that supports a xerophytic or dry climate forest and its associated eco-systems. One of the major selling points of this hike is that it is relatively easy. During the hottest days it is possible to walk the trail in comfort thanks to the trail design that combines under-canopy and open savannah pathways. The constant cooling breezes coming off the Atlantic Ocean further enhance the comfort level of this hike. But the main attraction is the abundance of natural beauty. Visitors can expect to see 38 bird species, migratory as well as domestic birds. There are sedimentary cliffs and with platforms and numerous features carved out by wave activity. There are stony beaches, caves, arcs, offshore islets and stacks to name a few. There is also a breathtaking display of flora with more than 116 plant species set against the magnificent scenery. The xerophytic forest, made up of secondary dry forest, scrub forest, cacti forest and fringing mangrove forest, supports at least 23 species with documented medicinal value. Further exploration of this area will undoubtedly reveal more contributions to medicine. However, existing known species include: mimosa pudica - used in the treatment of food poisoning; stachytarpheta jamaicensis – for eczema, rash and pigmentation; cajanus cajun – helps cure white blood cell disease; abrus precatorius – soothes chronic asthma and stops hemorrhaging in women and pimenta racemosa – for headaches and dizziness. Its leaves contain eugenol and chavicol. This forest cover also protects the coral reef systems within the Praslin Bay along with its mangroves and sea grass beds. The entire xerophytic forest, recognized as a conservation priority zone, includes the offshore islands of Fregate Island Major, Fregate Island Minor and Praslin Island. These islands are also bird sanctuaries with several nesting species, including the magnificent Frigate bird. The Praslin Island is also home to an endemic reptile, the St. Lucia Whiptail (Cnemidophorous Vanzoi), a ground lizard. The male carries the colours of the St. Lucian Flag, with a combination of blue, yellow, black and white. The female is a golden brown colour. The lizard was originally found only on Maria Island, on the south east coast of St. Lucia. However, in order to provide greater survival chances for this unique species, the Department of Forestry conducted a translocation exercise about 10 years ago, introducing several pairs to Praslin Island. The Whiptails have adapted very well and are regularly sighted. The St. Lucia Boa Constrictor is another endemic and indigenous species found at the Fregate Islands Nature Reserve. The boa ranges from 5 to 12 feet in length and is one of the most efficient rodent exterminators on the island. With the Eastern Nature Trail and the 14 other heritage sites around St. Lucia, there is more than enough to keep any environmentally friendly tourist stimulated and satisfied. For Heritage Tour information, check with your hotel's front desk or call Heritage Tours at 451-6058/458-1726. --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
  • St. Lucia History BRINGING HISTORY TO LIFE The history of the mineral baths on the Diamond Estate in Soufrière began in 1785. The Governor of St. Lucia, Baron de Laborie, an intellectual man who sought progress and prosperity for the island, saw great potential in the hot springs that flowed from the Sulphur Springs area through the valley at Diamond Estate. The Baron authorized an investigation of these mineral waters hoping that they would be medicinally beneficial and offer some relief from the ominous threat of disease that continually plagued the region. Four experts, including a doctor, a surgeon and a therapist were commissioned to carry out a study. The results were presented the following year in a report entitled, 'Memoire analytique des eaux minerales de la Soufrière et sur son soufre'; Analysis of the mineral waters of Soufrière and on its sulphur content. The conclusions were impressive. One of the springs was found to contain waters comparable to the famous baths in France at Aix les Bains and Aix la Chapelle as well as the equally acclaimed ancient springs of Aachen in Germany. Immediately, King Louis XVI with the endorsement of the Medecin du Roi (the King's physician) authorized a large sum of money to be spent on the construction of five baths at Diamond for the use of His Majesty's troops stationed throughout the French Antilles. The first baths were completed in 1786. The healthful waters proved to be so rejuvenating that soon the demand among the troops enticed the governor to finance seven additional baths from his own purse. However in 1792 the French Revolution stormed across St. Lucia ripping the heart out of the sugar industry and destroying most of the estates and many towns. The baths were totally devastated. They remained in ruin for close to 150 years. Andre du Boulay, who purchased the estate in 1912, restored two of the historic baths for the use of his family. But the true transformation began in 1983 under the direction of his daughter, Joan Devaux. The area surrounding the ancient baths, a tranquil spot in the river valley fronting the picturesque Diamond Falls, was subsequently sculpted into one of the most outstanding botanical gardens in the Caribbean. The two original baths were opened to the public. New private baths and two outdoor plunge pools were added. Realizing the immense historical value of the original baths, Mrs. Devaux has decided to carry out a massive restoration project. She approached Mr. Robert Devaux, the island's leading historian, to head the project. Research will be carried out in France to ensure the authenticity of the restoration. Careful monitoring of the work by Mr. Devaux will further maintain the legitimacy of the delicate procedure, prevent improper excavation and ensure that any artifacts uncovered will be properly recovered. Most of the work will be carried out during the low tourist season so as not to interfere with the present operations of the Diamond Falls and Botanical Gardens and the adjoining Soufrière Estate and Sugar Mill. The mill is another remarkable restoration feat completed a few years ago with a massive, churning waterwheel. The current project will include a lively historical account of the baths, enhanced with colour photographs and presented in a handsome souvenir booklet to help guests fully appreciate this monumental site. The outcome will preserve a rich and important part of the island's history. The restored baths and infrastructure such as the huge holding tank that takes in water from the springs at over 106 ° F, will reflect the past in a beautiful, accessible manner. Imagine being immersed in the steaming waters, encircled by ancient stonewalls in the tropical setting of the renowned botanical gardens. The waters relieve stress, relax muscles, give relief to arthritis and rheumatism, and nourish the skin. The location extends the benefits to a deeper level within one's soul. The efforts involved in this restoration project will frame part of our history in ancient stone for future generations to discover and enjoy.
  • St. Lucia Homes ISLAND HOMES HOMES AND LOTS There is no doubt that St. Lucia is a beautiful place. Having come on vacation once, or twice, the passion for this great land may just become unbearable and you cannot get rid of thoughts about purchasing a home. For those seeking the privacy of a home or vacation villa, many well-established areas still have lots available or homes for resale in some very scenic spots. CAP ESTATE Once a sprawling sugar estate, Cap Estate is now in a mature stage of development. Land prices vary according to the location within its 1,500 acres. The views range from the Caribbean side and Pigeon Island, to centre island looking toward the Pitons, to the wide expanse of sea northward toward Martinique, to the wind-swept beaches of the Atlantic. Many lots on the hill overlooking the old plantation portion have sweeping panoramic views. Most are a generous half- or one-acre in size. Although some of Cap Estate's roads leave a lot to be desired, the lots on sale are good value for money. Special amongst these is the newest sub-division called Mount Hardy. Here, at a higher elevation, and enjoying the best of the cooling trade winds, the views are quite spectacular including both Atlantic Ocean and Caribbean Sea, and also North across the channel to Martinique. The first section has 27 plots, most averaging around 1/3rd acre, in a price range of US$55,000 to US$130,000 per plot. A few homes are usually available for resale, so check with one of the island's real estate agents. RODNEY BAY Conceptualized in the early '70's for residential living, Rodney Bay, regarded as St. Lucia's premier leisure community has over the years re-defined the nature of developments to include a wider cross section of living, shopping and entertainment. Expected to come on stream during the next twelve months is Rodney Estates. This 45 acre development sits alongside the main highway and entrance to the Causeway Bay and Pigeon Point. According to the Master Plan, this development will include large plantation style homes looking down on the sparkling blue waters of the Caribbean Sea, while along the perimeter a mix of business and entertainment will also be a part of this development. BONNE TERRE This development lies to the east of Rodney Bay. It offers wonderful views of the Caribbean side, including the marina, and the Atlantic coastline. Lots here are of a reasonable price and size. Again, existing homes are sometimes available for sale. MARIGOT BAY Marigot Bay's setting epitomizes the word 'tropical.' The quiet bay is surrounded by lush, green, undisturbed nature and is a favourite with yachtsmen because of its seclusion and safe anchorage. The recently resurfaced highway makes the site just a 10 to 15 minute drive south of Castries. Contact a local estate agent for help. DISCOVERY AT MARIGOT BAY If you have fallen in love with St. Lucia, you can now have a place of your own in one of the most beautiful locations on the island, stunning Marigot Bay. Discovery at Marigot Bay is St. Lucia's newest and most luxurious spa, marina and apartment resort. Even before the start of construction, buyers have been snapping up the beautifully appointed one-, two- and three-bedroom apartments for their hassle free investment potential. A total of 58 apartments will be built each designed with special lock-off facilities which allow them to be converted into around 118 hotel units offering a range of options including one bedroom suites, two bedroom suites and conventional hotel rooms. In a unique arrangement, the net profits from lettings to hotel guests will be shared between apartment owners and the hotel on a 50/50 basis. There are absolutely no management fees to be paid. In addition, the developer, Doubloon International Ltd, guarantees owners a minimum 6% cash return per annum for the first two years - a clear reason the project has proved so popular with international investors. Other benefits include up to seven weeks free use each year for owners generating a composite return of around 11%, half in cash and half in fun! Discovery at Marigot Bay is also part of World's Finest Resorts which means owners can enjoy their weeks in their own apartment in St. Lucia or at a number of other affiliated resorts around the world. Scheduled for completion early 2005, the project, which was designed by international award-winning architects Denton Corker Marshall, will include a fully equipped fitness centre, top notch spa, yacht mooring facilities, a fine dining restaurant and a dockside café. To view a site model and detailed plans for Discovery at Marigot Bay, visit the Discovery Information Centre on the ground floor of the Scotia Bank Building in Rodney Bay or telephone (+1) (758) 458 0790. CONDOMINIUMS & TOWNHOUSES If a private home is more than you're looking for, St. Lucia has several condominium and townhouse developments. These have proved to be good investments. Most are located near beaches and on the lagoon and marina-front in Rodney Bay. The benefits of common management appeal to many. Re-sales are sometimes available, check with your real estate agent. The following are new developments that are either planned or under construction. BAYVIEW The Latest Marina-front development in Rodney Bay by experienced local developer Bernard Johnson, the last twelve (of 18 total) townhouses are now approaching completion. Every unit faces out over the Marina, and dock space is available. All units will be fully air-conditioned. There are nine 2 bedroom, 2 and one half bathroom units, and three very spacious 3 bedroom, 3 and one half bathroom units in this last phase. Prices from US$275,000.00. ST. LUCIA GOLF & COUNTRY CLUB The northernmost point of the island of St. Lucia is occupied by one of the prime and exclusive real estate areas in St. Lucia, Cap Estate. This is the perfect place to build a dream home for the World Cup 2007 Cricket matches taking place in St. Lucia. Major attention was given to this area when the existing 9-hole course was skillfully enlarged to produce a superb 18-hole championship layout through mature wooded slopes and valleys. The St. Lucia Golf & Country Club is the island's only fully irrigated 18-hole Par 71, 6829 yd facility with a complete Restaurant, Bar and Pro-Shop. The course is a beautiful and challenging one that accommodates players of all skill levels. The areas around the golf course are surrounded by rich natural beauty and stunning views. There are many phases of exclusive residential communities now in development. Imagine owing a home with views of the Atlantic Ocean and the neighbouring French island of Martinique. Imagine being part of an exclusive community that offers amenities and recreational services such as a new championship golf course, beaches, a health spa, luxury golf clubhouse, scuba-diving, snorkeling, volley-ball, kayaking, hiking, biking, tennis and big game fishing. The developments of Cap Estate Properties offer residents and visitors a variety of choices in land and home ownership. The new developments include Villas on the Green, Sea Breeze Hills, Sea Breeze Heights, Sea Star Residential, Sea Spa Hotel and a Jack Nicklaus Golf Course, Clubhouse and Residential development. Two of these amazing communities are now in development; Villas on the green and Sea Breeze Hills. The 'Villas on the Green', which is a part of the existing St. Lucia Golf & Country Club, is an exclusive residential community with only fifteen lots available with breathtaking views of the golf course and the Atlantic Ocean. These villas will be conveniently located within the course and residents of this community will have the special privilege of having a superb golf course right on their door-step! These awe-inspiring lots range in size from 49,956 to 67,576 square feet. Sea Breeze Hills is a gated community with exceptional views of the Atlantic Ocean and neighbouring French island of Martinique. This development offers its residents the convenience of prime real estate that are fully serviced and twenty-four hour security. One of three options for homes is the four-bedroom/four bath dream house with a swimming pool and green gardens. In the near future, the other exclusive subdivisions will begin their transformation to become ideal residential or vacation communities with exceptional recreational and entertaining amenities. These areas are also within minutes of St. Lucia's social and cultural center, Rodney Bay. The world-renowned Pigeon Island National Park; where the St. Lucia Jazz festival is held, the Beausejour Cricket Stadium; home of World Cup 2007 matches and the Rodney Bay Marina; the final destination of the Atlantic Rally for Cruisers (ARC) are all near 'Villas on the Green' and Sea Breeze Hills. For more information on the limited offer for the luxury home sites in and around the golf course, please contact the Cap Estate Offices in St. Lucia or in the US. Cap Estate St. Lucia Ltd, P.O. Box 328, Castries, St. Lucia, Tel: (758) 450 8522. Cap Estate Corp., 1159 E. North Street, Bradley, Illinois, 60915. USA, Tel: (815) 936 4006. Or visit our website www.Cap-estate.com RESORT DEVELOPMENTS A growing trend for those who may not visit every year, or only for one or two weeks when they do come, is to buy/lease into a resort complex. Some (like Marigot) are small and intimate; others are much larger hotel-type complexes. PURCHASING PROCEDURES Persons from overseas require a government license in order to purchase property in St. Lucia. Each license is for a specific property so purchasers must secure their land or house with a deposit. License applications are handled by a local lawyer who also carries out title searches and draws up the deed of sale. A government license fee of 10% is payable and other charges such as legal fees and stamp duties amount to 6 - 7% of the property price. Land must be developed within two years of purchase. Thereafter, there are no restrictions on renting or selling. REAL ESTATE AGENCIES Home Services Ltd., in Rodney Bay, an independent real estate agent, offers a variety of services, including property management, real estate sales, appraisals, rentals and property development. Twenty years' experience in the real estate business in St. Lucia. 452-0450; Fax: 452-0071. VILLA SALES AND RENTALS Tropical Villas Ltd. Property management, sales and rental. 450-8240, Fax: 450-8089. The developments listed here are not meant to constitute a complete listing of the properties available in St. Lucia. To make sure you have the opportunity to explore all the options, contact a local real estate agency to assist you in selecting your St. Lucian home.
  • St. Lucia Hotels ISLAND HOTELS From resort hotels to intimate inns and guest houses, St. Lucia has a wealth of accommodations to choose from. Visitors will find the perfect place to suit their taste and budget. Our 'Island Hotels' features some of the most popular places to say on the island. AUBERGE SERAPHINE P.O. Box 390 Castries, St. Lucia 758-456-3000/453-2073/4/7 Fax: 758-451-7001 E-mail: auberge@candw.lc www.aubergeseraphine.com Auberge Seraphine is a 28-room hotel overlooking Vigie Yacht Marina, nestled in a mangrove where wild birds roost. Standard and superior rooms with patios are air-conditioned and most look out onto the marina. All rooms have cable television and direct dialing telephone. Centrally located, Auberge Seraphine is five minutes from the island's capital, Castries and Duty Free Pointe Seraphine. This small hotel is particularly popular with travellers who have business in the city and want to be near to the airport. The service is impeccable and the tariffs are reasonable. Facilities include an excellent restaurant, bar and swimming pool. There is access to a fitness centre, which is five minutes away from the hotel. CARIBBEAN JEWEL RESORT P. O. Box GM503, Castries Tel: 758-452-9199 Fax: 758-452-9198 Email: caribbeanjewel@candw.lc www.caribbeanjewelresort.com Nestled on an unspoiled mountainside sloping to scenic Rodney Bay, The Caribbean Jewel Beach Resort is a secluded and idyllic Caribbean retreat. With picturesque views of Rodney Bay including Pigeon Island and neighboring Martinique, this small resort offers one of the finest views in St. Lucia. In addition to being secluded and private, it is located right next to all of the island's leisure and vacation amenities. Shops, restaurants, and international marina and the island's best beach are all at the foot of the property. The intimate setting of the Caribbean Jewel is complete with spacious rooms, which are luxuriously appointed, each with a dramatic view of the bay and the Caribbean Sea. A holiday in our tropical paradise is truly an unforgettable experience at the Jewel of the Caribbean. THE BODY HOLIDAY AT LE SPORT P. O. BOX 437, CASTRIES 758-457-7800; FAX: 758-450-0368 Reservations: UK and Europe 0870 220 2344 USA and Canada 1 800 544 2883 Website: www.thebodyholiday.com If you're like hundreds of people each year, you're searching for a memorable holiday that combines an active beach holiday with your favourite sports, great food, exercise programmes and personal service. Your holiday price includes an hour of body treatments daily and activities not included in any spa in the world. The body treatments are designed to rejuvenate you from your scalp to your toes and include an array of therapies designed by Elemis and using Elemis products. You'll enjoy a variety of activities, from an 18-hole championship golf course, where even the green fees are included, the new tennis courts, scuba diving on the visually breathtaking coral reef, to Master Class programmes – value that can't be matched. The BodyHoliday at LeSPORT proves over and over again that they are one of travel's best gems and one of travel's best values. Best of all The BodyHoliday has a unique interactive website that allows you to totally customize your holiday experience before you arrive. Once your day is complete, or even for a mid-afternoon nap, you'll enjoy your luxurious room, most with four-poster beds but all with the amenities of a first-class resort. With only 154 rooms and suites available, all their rooms get booked quickly. Give us your body for a week…we'll give you back your mind. BAY GARDENS HOTEL P.O. Box 1892, Castries Tel: 758-452-8060 Fax: 758-452-8059 E-mail: baygardens@candw.lc www.baygardenshotel.com This award-winning, small, intimate hotel is situated on the south side of Rodney Bay, within easy reach of Reduit Beach, shopping centres, restaurants and night clubs. The hotel has 71 air-conditioned rooms each with terrace or balcony, bathroom, cable television, direct dial telephone with Voice mail, data ports, radio, 110/220 power outlets and refrigerator. Bay Gardens is popular with corporate travellers. The hotel has three conference rooms with a new, fully- equipped business centre. For guests who want to relax, in addition to the restaurant and bar, there are two swimming pools, a jacuzzi, and library. The Bay Gardens has established a reputation for providing excellent value for money service. Seventy-five percent of Bay Gardens' guests are repeat clients. BAY GARDENS INN P.O. Box 1892 Castries 758 452 0255/8200 Fax: 452-8002 E-mail: baygardensinn@candw.lc www.baygardensinn.com This very personable hotel is new and complements the elegant Bay Gardens Hotel. Literally just a couple of minutes away from the beautiful Bay Gardens Hotel, the Bay Gardens Inn has its own personality. Its 32 rooms are all air-conditioned. All rooms have radio alarm clock, cable television and direct dial telephone. Superior rooms come with tea and coffee facilities. The Bay Gardens Inn, though still young, is your ideal haven for privacy, intimacy and relaxation. Equipped with restaurant, bar, pool bar, lounge bar, swimming pool and conference room, the Bay Gardens Inn can put you in the right mood. For a relaxing getaway, or a corporate retreat, Bay Gardens Inn offers the amenities for any occasion. GREEN PARROT HOTEL P.O. Box 648; Chef Harry Drive Morne Fortune; Castries, St. Lucia Tel: 758-452-3399 Fax: 758-453-2272 E-mail: greenparrot@candw.lc Website: www.greenparrotinn.com The Green Parrot Hotel is a 55-room resort, tucked away on the hillside of the famous Morne Fortune, commanding a superb panoramic view of the capital city of Castries, the Vigie coastline and the turquoise waters of the Caribbean Sea. Rooms are air-conditioned, each with private bath, shower, telephone, and cable television. The restaurant offers local and European dishes, served by Chef Harry who trained at Claridges, London, UK. Green Parrot is proud to offer unique conference facilities for business conferences, seminars, workshops, meetings and other social events. The conference facilities can accommodate 100 persons in theatre style or 60 persons in a classroom setting. Ask about the special business person's lunch or the 'free' lunch given to all business people who celebrate their birthday during the use of one of the conference facilities. In addition to great entertainment, our guests enjoy swimming pool, bar, pool table and darts. LADERA RESORT P.O. Box, 225 Soufriere Tel: 758-459-7323/459-5448 Fax: 758-459-5156 Email: ladera@candw.lc Website: www.ladera.com Discover Ladera...You will discover one of the reasons why Ladera is known as 'the high point of St. Lucia' as soon as you walk into this truly exceptional property. The view is the most breathtaking in the Caribbean and arguably in the world. Beyond the far railings, the land falls away into a steep hillside carpeted in rainforest. St. Lucia's signature peaks, the Pitons, rise massively out of the glittering sea over 1,000 feet below. To visit St. Lucia and not catch this panorama would be remiss indeed. Ladera's collection of 6 villas and 19 suites are literally wide-open to the view and the fresh hilltop breezes. Spacious interiors, rich with polished woods, lead into terraced gardens with plunge pools surrounded by lush gardens. All other parts of the property, from the swimming pool to the resort's award-winning restaurant, Dasheene, also make the most of this exceptional location. Open to non-guests as well (reservations recommended), the restaurant serves a delicious menu of local and international specialties at both lunch and dinner. Many guests are so captivated by the resort that they never leave the grounds. Those who make the effort are rewarded with a lovely nearby beach (served by shuttle service) and an array of nearby sites and towns, pleasantly reminiscent of the way the Caribbean used to be. FOUR SPRINGS VILLAS Bonne Terre, St. Lucia Tel: 758-452-0028, 484-6940, 716-4799 Email: fsv@candw.lc www.fourspringsvilla.com Come stay with us is just our way of saying 'Welcome Home.' Conveniently located in the north of the island near to Rodney Bay Village, our Property is newly built and is located minutes away from an array of Restaurants, Supermarkets, Shopping Malls, Beaches, Banks, Internet Cafe's, Night Clubs, and Gymnasium for all of your recreational, financial or business preference. Our spacious accommodations comprising of 1 and 2 bedroom luxuriously Caribbean style furnished suites. Enjoy serene moments on your private porch or simply relax in your fresh water pool. If you are looking for a truly romantic and relaxing getaway, escape to the breath taking tranquility of Four Springs Villa. All of our Suites provides the comfort of Air Conditioning, ceiling fan, 24hrs cable TV, 110/220v outlets, clock/radio, in room safe at no extra cost, refrigerator, cooker, microwave oven, washing machine, sofa bed, cell phone with complimentary phone cards if staying 7 nights or more, security and maid service is also part of our standard feature. Four Springs Villa is just 5 minutes away from the hub of St. Lucia's tourist activities, yet it offers the quiet ambiance of living in paradise. CARA SUITES P.O. Box 1109, La Pansee Rd., Castries Tel: 758-452-4767; Fax: 758-453-1999 E-mail: carasuiteslc@carahotels.com or the best in comfort, cuisine, conference services and convenience, Caribbean Style, Cara Suites is the only choice in St. Lucia. Perched on the lush hillside above the city of Castries, Cara Suites is the ultimate choice for convenient access to the airport and the city, both a mere 5 minutes drive away. For the business traveller, Cara Suites offers serenity and superlative services - views out over the city and the dazzling blue waters of the Caribbean Sea and, among other things, free access to the Business Centre. Computers, high speed internet access, colour printing, fax and photocopying services, extensive conferencing facilities and services, and capable, efficient and attentive staff - what more could you ask for? And whether on business, or just on the island to relax and enjoy the Helen of the West, our carefully designed rooms each with the views for which the hotel is renowned, choice of two bars, the swimming pool and poolside with a view, and last but not least - the superlative Mandolin Restaurant will all combine to ensure a visit you won't forget. CALABASH COVE P. O. Box 1765, Castries Bonaire Estate, Marisule Tel: 758-456-3500 Fax: 758-450-3302 E-mail: calabashcove@candw.lc www.calabashcove.com Calabash Cove Inn and Sanctuary is the newest addition to St. Lucia's increasingly diverse accommodation options. Located on the northwest coast of the island, Calabash Cove enjoys a most idyllic setting in the sheltered bay of Bonaire Estate. The Inn consist of 23 oversized one bedroom mahogany and teak villas, each with indoor roman baths, outdoor rain showers, air-conditioned bedrooms, large living rooms, lanai's with hammocks and rocking chairs for relaxing and reading. Cable TV, fans and phones with I-net. Some villas have private salt water plunge pools. All have unobstructed ocean views. A personalized welcome service awaits you. Amenities include an intimate cocktail bar overlooking the ocean with low-key piano music, half moon shape restaurant serving Creole and Far Eastern fusion cuisine, a cosy music room and Caribbean library with honor bar available. The infinity pool dubbed Sweetwaters is located at the end of a natural rock waterfall. The pool furniture is made of exotic wood for relaxing. A cocktail service is available. Nature is in abundance at Calabash Cove with local flora, miniature cane fields, pineapple groves, banana patches, lily pond, stone garden and several places of rest, complemented by water features and the gentle tinkling melodies of wind chimes. Calabash Cove is owned by Calabash Cove Resorts Limited, a St. Lucian company, and managed by Cariboutique Hotels Inc., a management company specializing in the design and management of Luxury Boutique Hotels. Calabash Cove was presented to the International Travel Trade and Travel Press in London, San Juan, Berlin, New York and Los Angeles to great reviews and high levels of anticipation. RENDEZVOUS P. O. Box 190, CASTRIES 758-457-4900; FAX: 758-452-7419 Reservations: UK and Europe 0870 22 2344 USA and Canada 1 800 544 2883 Website: www.theromaticholiday.com Great couples have finally found their place in the sun. Whether you're looking for that special place at which to get married, celebrate an anniversary or just celebrate your special relationship, Rendezvous, St. Lucia is your best choice. And while some couples-only holidays get in your face with holiday camp games and loud music on the beach, Rendezvous gets in your heart with an idyllic time, in an idyllic place. In other words, Rendezvous is for discerning couples who like the idea of a Couples Only Resort but don't like the mass market approach. No other couples-only resort in the Caribbean offers you such a high standard of choice, luxury and comfortable accommodations. And because they know that on a romantic couples-only holiday the luxury and ambiance of your room is important, they've recently spent seven million dollars to offer you air-conditioned rooms, king-size 4-poster beds and Italian marble bathrooms. Rendezvous offers you an amazing menu of activities, glorious food and drink, first-class accommodation, a full program of land sports such as archery, aerobics, tennis, volleyball and cycle-tours combined with a full program of water sports such as water-skiing, scuba, kayaking, and windsurfing. On or under the sea, no other resort offers you finer instruction or finer equipment. The two floodlight tennis courts are of championship calibre and come with the attention of professional instructors. COCO KREOLE & COCO PALM Resorts Rodney Bay Village Tel: 758-452 0712/0943 Fax 452 0774 Email: reservations@coco-resorts.com Website: www.coco-resorts.com Having completed restoration work on the 20 room Coco Creole which went into operation in November 2003, proprietor and developer Allen Chastanet is pursuing his expansion plans, and is preparing for the launching of the 84 room Coco Palm, which is scheduled to open its doors in April 2005 and represents phase two of a multi-million dollar complex. Coco-Resorts offer the savvy traveler an opportunity to enjoy an authentic Caribbean experience. Its philosophy is to blend old world charm with modern day amenities at affordable prices. Each hotel is designed with a distinct Caribbean décor yet all rooms include Wi-Fi, cable TV, DVD, CD player, cordless phone, mini-refrigerator and each features paintings by a different Caribbean artist. Rates begin at US$80 per room and include continental breakfast. The trademarks of Coco-Resorts are its 'Hosts', individuals who are cross-trained and dedicated to specific rooms with the aim of personalizing each guest's experience and a simplified check-in/check-out procedure which eliminates the traditional registration desk. Coco Palm, is built on the six acres of land adjacent to sister Coco Kréole in Rodney Bay Village. It provides an additional 84 rooms and suites, two pool bars, a Havana bar and Creole restaurant. Coco Palm not unlike Coco Kréole will have a strong French Caribbean plantation style. The décor will reflect the informal creole flair with dark wood mixed with warm colours. The 72 rooms and 12 suites will have all the modern day comforts while offering guests a laid back tropical ambiance. Guests at Coco Palm will have choice from ground floor rooms with patios or poolside rooms with direct access to the pool. Rooms on the first, second and top floor, which are accessible by both an elevator and stairs, will have bay windows with panorama views of Rodney Bay Village and marina. Each of the bathrooms will have large sunflower showerheads offering the popular 'rain shower' sensation. Also in the showers will be hand held shower heads along with a built in ledge for sitting – ideal for both the young and old. All rooms will be decorated with original Caribbean art with unique prints reflecting the Caribbean. The guest rooms will be cooled by both air conditioners and ceiling fans and will include CD players, TV's with DVD's and mini bars with an extensive music and DVD library available to guests. Coco Palm's twelve suites, which will be approximately 500 square feet, will have spacious bathrooms, a walk- in closet along with a jacuzzi tub and separate shower. The sitting area can be used as an entertainment area or extra room for kids, which has its own bath and shower. Opening rates for Coco Palm will start at US $100 to $250 per room/per night, double occupancy. TROPICAL VILLAS P.O. Box 189, Castries, St. Lucia Tel: 758-450-8240/450-0349 Fax: 758-450-8089 E-mail: tropvil@candw.lc Website: www.tropicalvillas.net Tropical Villas offers St. Lucia's most exclusive and luxurious private homes for holiday rentals, from condominiums in Rodney Bay to spectacular beach and hillside retreats in Cap Estate, Vigie and Soufrière. Villas range in size from 1-6 bedrooms and all have private pools (condominiums share a pool), landscaped grounds, and are fully staffed. All villas in Cap Estate are near to an 18-hole golf course, the St. Lucia Racquet Club, two beaches and are close to Rodney Bay with its varied shops and restaurants. The villas at Vigie are close to Vigie Beach and the Pointe Seraphine Duty Free shopping facilities. Soufrière offers peaceful surroundings in the lush rainforest. There is something for everyone. Prices for an entire villa start at US$158 per night in the summer to US$190 in the winter. SANDALS GRANDE ST. LUCIAN SPA & BEACH RESORT Pigeon Island Causeway P.O. Box G.I. 2247, Gros Islet Tel: 758-455-2000; Fax: 758-455-2001 E-mail: sglmail@sgl.sandals.com Approximately 6 miles northwest of the town of Castries on a causeway between Pigeon Island (National Landmark) and Rodney Bay, this is the newest resort to join the chain of Sandals resorts in St. Lucia. A 284 room resort sitting on 17 acres of land that combines historic British and French flavour with the unparalleled service of Sandals, Sandals Grande St. Lucian is a magnificent new Four Diamond resort on its very own spectacular peninsular, surrounded by the Caribbean sea, where beautiful parks and historic monuments like Pigeon Island and Fort Rodney are within walking distance. It offers the Sandals world-class brand, renowned for every exclusive amenity from golf to scuba diving, an elaborate spa, sumptuous gourmet dining, ocean view accommodations, and the creative lagoon pool where guests can swim right up to their rooms. Culinary magic unfolds at 5 specialty restaurants, from signature white gloved service in a classic Italian bistro and casual beachfront dining at the Latin/Caribbean restaurant to the International Bayside Restaurant and an authentic British pub restaurant. The hotel will provide transfers from both the Hewanorra International Airport 40 miles (1 hr. 30 min) away, and the George F.L. Charles Airport 6 miles (20 minutes) from the resort. Guests at this resort have full exchange privileges and dining at all other Sandals resorts on island. SANDALS HALCYON ST. LUCIA P.O. Box GM910, Castries Tel: 758-453-0222 Fax: 758-451-8435 E-mail: sandalshc@candw.lc A short drive from Castries and George F.L. Charles Airport, Sandals Halcyon St. Lucia is the island's ultimate beach resort with its classic Caribbean architecture and tropical gardens. For couples only, this all-inclusive paradise has 170 rooms with patios or balconies overlooking the calm waters of the Caribbean Sea, gardens, swimming pools and Jacuzzis. Facilities include three gourmet restaurants, tennis courts, watersports and a variety of great entertainment. Guests have full exchange privileges and dining at all other Sandals resorts in St. Lucia. SANDALS REGENCY ST. LUCIA GOLF RESORT & SPA P.O. Box 399 Castries Tel: 758-452-3081/9 Fax: 758-452-1012/453-7089 E-Mail: sandalslu@candw.lc www.sandals.com Fifteen minutes from George F.L Charles airport and the city of Castries, Sandals Regency St. Lucia is situated on 210 acres of tropical greenery, edged by the Caribbean Sea. The hotel is part of the growing Sandals chain that offers excellent service and top class facilities at an all-inclusive price. For those who want to put themselves on the leading edge of luxury, lavish one and two story suites perched atop a magnificent coral bluff with panoramic ocean views, 24 hour room service and some suites with private plunge pools are available on Sunset Bluff. The hotel boasts the Caribbean's largest freshwater pool, with a waterfall, swim-up bar and bridges. A new 5,000 square foot swimming pool has also been added. Sandals Regency St. Lucia has a nine-hole golf course, five tennis courts, six gourmet restaurants, a health spa, fitness centre with a new cardio-vascular facility, beauty salon, gift shop and an array of water and land sports. Sandals Regency St. Lucia has also built a new conference facility with business centre. Guests at Sandals Regency St. Lucia have full access to the facilities at all other Sandals Resorts on island. THE VILLAGE INN AND SPA Reduit Beach, Rodney Bay, Gros Islet Tel: 758-458 3300; Fax: 758-452 0158 E-mail: villageinn@candw.lc www.villageinstlucia.com. The golden pot at the end of the rainbow has been revealed as Rodney Bay Village is set to welcome its newest addition, The Village Inn & Spa at Rodney Bay. As St. Lucia prepares for continued growth in the hotel industry, the property will be ready to upgrade its accommodations and services to match that growth. In the fall of 2004, the hotel will re-open to offer guests a relaxing, intimate and inspiring atmosphere. The Village Inn is a medium size property with seventy-six rooms that all offer fabulous views of an oasis of waterfalls cascading into a mini-pool and then streaming into the clear refreshing full size pool. Two steaming Jacuzzis are part of this oasis. The excitement in this area is heightened by the presence of an Italian garden style bistro, Nardoni's. Nardoni's Italian Garden will be a Chicago style bistro offering the best in authentic Italian cuisine. The enticing menu will begin with Antipasto and be followed by Italian salads, pasta, seafood or pizza. Calzones, which can be appropriately described as folded pizzas, will also be served at Nardoni's Italian Garden. This new restaurant joins Emeralds Restaurant & Cocktail Lounge as the in-house restaurants of the Village Inn. Emeralds Restaurant offers clients the comfort and flexibility of dining bistro style in a romantic setting. The menu consists of a balance selection of Island Creole and international cuisine. The cocktail lounge above the restaurant is a great place to relax and network as you enjoy the views of Reduit beach and the Pigeon Island National Landmark. The new Village Inn will also feature a spa where guests can experience Swedish, Aromatherapy and Sport massages, facials, manicures and pedicures. Just a stone's throw away is Reduit Beach, a one mile stretch of fine white sandy beach. The hotel is also a part of Rodney Bay Village, the hub of the best hotels, restaurants, nightclubs, galleries, duty free shops and other entertaining activities in the north of St. Lucia. The Rodney Bay Village is set to become one of the biggest attractions in St. Lucia with many great events taking place in that area.
  • St. Lucia Island OUR ISLAND - St Lucia WHERE WE ARE St. Lucia, 'the Helen of the West Indies,' so called because of its natural beauty, lies roughly between 60° and 61° West longitude and 13° and 14° North latitude. It is approximately 1,300 miles southeast of Florida, in the Windward Islands. These Windward Islands are part of the Lesser Antilles, which are in turn part of the West Indies. This 238-square-mile jewel is 21 miles from its nearest neighbour, the French island of Martinique, just 24 miles north of St. Vincent and 100 miles northwest of Barbados. The island possesses some of the finest natural harbours in the Caribbean and is centrally located within easy reach of the rest of the region and North America. HOW TO GET HERE If you're coming from North America, BWIA flies weekly from Miami and New York via Barbados; American Eagle flies daily to and from Puerto Rico into George Charles Airport; US Airways flies twice weekly direct to and from Philadelphia; Delta flies twice weekly direct service from Atlanta; Air Canada has direct flights to and from Toronto and Montreal; Virgin Atlantic, British Airways, British Midlands and BWIA fly weekly between the United Kingdom and St. Lucia; Air Jamaica offers twice daily services to and from New York, as well as 23 US and Caribbean destinations. Additionally, since its code share alliance with Delta, it serves several cities throughout the US. Air Jamaica also flies to London and Manchester via its Montego Bay Hub. During the peak season, between mid-November and mid-March, a number of tour companies operate charters from Frankfurt, London, Toronto and various Caribbean destinations. Inter-island travel is well serviced by LIAT, BWIA, Caribbean Star and Air Caraibes. By sea, L' Express Des Isles runs a hydrofoil service between Martinique and St. Lucia. Cruise ships tie up daily at Port Castries and Soufrière. All the major lines call in and are represented in St. Lucia by Cox and Company Ltd. or Minvielle and Chastanet Ltd. For visitors arriving by private or chartered yacht, moorings are available at the fully serviced Rodney Bay Marina, a picturesque lagoon on the northern tip of St. Lucia, at the Moorings Marina at Marigot Bay (a famous hurricane hide-out) or at Castries Yacht Centre, located at the entrance of Castries Harbour. When entering St. Lucia, American and Commonwealth citizens need to carry proof of citizenship, a birth certificate, some form of photo ID and or passport, and a return or onward ticket. Other visitors need a passport along with return or onward tickets. Some countries do require visas. Valid vaccination certificates are required of travellers entering from infectious areas. When leaving St. Lucia, non-nationals are required to pay a departure tax of EC$54 (US$21) per person (credit cards not accepted). FINANCIAL MATTERS St. Lucia's currency is the Eastern Caribbean dollar. Currency exchanges can be made at banks, most major hotels and at Pointe Seraphine, one of two duty-free shopping complexes at Castries. If you are operating with US funds, then the exchange rate is about $2.70 EC to $1.00 US. The rate is around $2.60 EC if you purchase local currency at stores or hotels. On the other hand, if you plan to use the Euro dollar, then the exchange rate is about $2.53 EC to $1 Euro. Banking hours are generally from 8 am to 3 pm, Monday through Thursday, and Friday from 8 am to 5 pm. Banks are closed on weekends and holidays, however, Bank of Nova Scotia, First Caribbean International Bank, Bank of Saint Lucia and the Royal Bank of Canada have Saturday morning hours at their sub-branches in and around the Rodney Bay Marina. Most major credit cards are accepted at St. Lucia's shops and restaurants. Royal Bank of Canada has ATM machines that accept major credit cards also. PRACTICAL MATTERS While the main language in St. Lucia is English, a French based Creole is also spoken because of St. Lucia's dual British-French heritage. The climate is tropical, with temperatures ranging from the mid-seventies to the mid-eighties (25 to 30 Celsius). During the hottest time of the year, from June to August, temperatures can reach the mid-nineties (32 Celsius). Things are kept pretty cool however, by the constant trade-winds. Average rainfall ranges from 60 inches in the coastal regions to 160 inches in the interior rain forests. The rainy season is from June to October, but even then, showers tend to last a short time. Electricity is available for the most part at 220 volts, 50 cycles AC and unless you are coming from Europe, you will need an adapter for your travel appliances. Telecommunications services in St. Lucia have become recently revolutionized since the marketplace has become more liberalized. Consequently, services are provided by Cable & Wireless (WI) Ltd., Digicel and AT&T Wireless. What this means is that communications between family and friends the world over, and for business executives, has become easier and more affordable. Cable & Wireless offers a range of services including international direct dialing to over 180 countries worldwide; mobile cellular services; credit card calling and among others, public payphones. Digicel's network, based on superior GSM technology, has introduced state-of-the art technology, smart new handsets, innovative and competitive rate plans, to an otherwise ailing mobile communications market. AT&T Wireless subscribers can take advantage of its Global System for Mobile Communications (GSM) and general Packet Radio Service (GPRS) networks for faster data transmission. So if you are on island, or planning to vacation here, now you have many options to satisfy your telecommunications needs. St. Lucia lies in the Atlantic Standard Time zone - four hours behind Europe, five during daylight savings time. It is one hour ahead of North American Eastern Standard Time all year round. STORE HOURS Store hours throughout the Castries circuit vary, but are generally from 8:30 am to 4:30 pm Monday through Friday, and from 8 am to 12:30 pm on Saturday. Stores at the Gablewoods Shopping Mall at Sunny Acres are open from 9 am to 7 pm. Stores at J.Q. Charles Shopping Mall in Rodney Bay are open from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. Mondays to Thursdays and 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays. Most are closed on Sunday MAJOR SUPERMARKETS Julian's Supermarket outlets are located island wide, but the Rodney Bay facility has extended shopping hours and stays open seven days a week. J. Q.'s Supermarket branches are also located island wide, and the outlet at the Rodney Bay Mall also offers extended shopping hours and stays open seven days a week. CHURCH SERVICES Most St. Lucians are Roman Catholic, but other denominations include Anglican, Methodist, Baptist, Seventh Day Adventist, Pentecostal, Christian Science, and the Salvation Army. Services are held early every Sunday, and larger churches hold services on Saturday evenings as well. Information on services is available at most hotels. SERVICE CLUBS Rotary International: St. Lucia Clubs meet at 12:30 pm on Tuesdays at the Royal St. Lucian Hotel in Rodney Bay; on Wednesdays at Juliette's Lodge in Vieux Fort; on Fridays at Sandals Halcyon St. Lucia at Choc Bay. Lions Club: 1st and 3rd Thursday each month at Lions' Den in Sans Souci; 2nd and 4th Thursday each month at Glencastle Resort in Gros Islet. Kiwanis: 8 pm on Thursdays at Green Parrot Hotel in Castries; 5:30 pm on Tuesdays at Green Parrot Inn in Castries; 7:30 pm at Chak Chak Restaurant in Vieux Fort. GETTING AROUND Taxis are a popular means of getting around. Drivers are well informed and friendly and are familiar with the points of interest. Before you hire a taxi for a day, settle on the price. Fares are standard to all destinations. For your comfort, all taxis are specially marked. There are several reputable car rental companies on the island. Drivers need to purchase a local driving permit, which is issued on the presentation of a foreign or international license. Local permits are obtained from the immigration offices at Hewanorra and George F. L. Charles Airports and issued by the major car rental agencies. All towns and villages are connected to major roads. It takes roughly one hour to drive from Castries to Vieux Fort along the east-coast road, fifty minutes from Vieux Fort to Soufriere, and forty-five minutes from Soufriere to Castries along the west-coast road. Further inland, some roads may be difficult to negotiate. It is important to remember that in St. Lucia we drive on the left. WHAT TO WEAR Due to the tropical climate, summer clothes are worn all year round, cottons being prevalent. During the cooler evenings, you might need a pullover. Casual resort wear is the norm for men during the day however in some restaurants the dress code stipulates jackets and trousers in the evening. Otherwise, the rule is cool and casual. Swimwear should be reserved for the beach and is not appropriate on the street or in town.
  • St. Lucia Jazz JAZZ ST. LUCIA More Than A Festival, It's A State Of Mind by Jason Sifflet It's one of the hottest events on the international calendar. The biggest stars playing in the world's most intimate outdoor setting – Pigeon Island – in the middle of May. From Wynton Marsalis to Grover Washington, from Carlos Santana to Miriam Makeba, Mary J. Blige to Ashanti, this festival is a hotspot that launches new careers and boosts old ones. But St. Lucia Jazz is more than just a weekend of concerts. It is a mass hypnotic phenomenon that enraptures the island for at least a month. Maybe more. The advance publicity alone sets the island buzzing. St. Lucia Jazz is infectious. Radio stations start playing great music instead of hit songs. Talk shows get entertaining instead of outrageous. The infection spreads from the media to show windows, where fabrics get brighter, fashions get hotter and skirts get shorter. The best plays of the year are on. By the beginning of May, jazz fever transforms the island into a musical playground. Every joint has a band. Even roadside café rock 'til dawn. By the end of May's first week, the classic pre-jazz concerts raise all expectations. Fond d'Or Jazz spotlights the best Caribbean pop and dance music while Balenbouche always has the best mix of flare and flavour. They give the Jazz festival the taste of roast saltfish, avocado and farine and fresh salad in a tangy vinaigrette. By the second week, jazz is a state of mind. Everyone works in the morning, leaves early to catch the lunchtime show, heads back to work for a couple of hours and then it's off again for the tea-time concert that usually runs straight into the nighttime set. By the second day, smart people realize that there is a survival routine to jazz. Have a good breakfast, be prepared for the occasional shower or unseasonally hot sunshine and at all times, have water. Having this much fun ain't easy. Many fools found themselves sprawled out on the beach unable to lift a maguerita to their lips by the third day. And strategy? By the fourth night, fans have to know whether to go to the first Luther Vandross show and then catch Cassandra Wilson, or save Vandross for Friday night, so you can catch Luther Francois' late night set, or just make it a Luther night. And what to do about choosing between Yolanda Adams and Joe, or Ashanti and the Cuban All-Stars? By the time mainstage rolls around, your head is spinning. The names alone make you gaga. George Benson, Carlos Santana, Kenny G, Floetry,…the list is too long. But whatever your 'thing' is, it's at St. Lucia Jazz. Soul singers, latin, home grown folk music, guitar slingers, world beat. Only when it's over do most people realize that it's not just a weekend. It's much more. So here is a little brotherly advice from a seasoned festival survivor: Come for the weekend and you'll love it. But
  • St. Lucia Magical Marigot Bay MAGICAL MARIGOT BAY What's so special about Marigot Bay? It's often been said that it's the Caribbean's best kept secret as well as one of the most famous beauty spots in the Windward Islands. How can it be both? Well, the truth is that Marigot means many things to many different people. A Safe Haven To the yachtsman it's the best place to be when the satellite pictures show a storm brewing in the Atlantic – which is why the famous old hotel there used to be called the Hurricane Hole – literally a safe haven in a storm. If you visit Marigot when a tropical wave is passing through, you'll see a very different picture to the one on the postcards when the sun is shining on the serene blue green waters and elegant yachts are rocking gently at anchor. When there's a storm warning, it's hard to see the water at all, so many boats are rafted up together from one side of the mangroves to the other and the Soggy Dollar, Chateau Mygo and JJ's Paradise are full of oilskin-clad boat owners anxiously watching their masts as they down their rum punches and swap stories of narrow escapes at sea. A Playful Place And the next day, when the storm has passed, the bay will once again be calm and clear and most of the yachts will be gone. In fact often, after a shower of rain, the scenery seems sharper and clearer and brighter than usual and sometimes, if you're lucky, you'll see the Marigot rainbow arching itself right across the entrance, like a multicoloured bridge. Small children will be swimming from the sandspit and swinging on ropes from the palm trees into the water. Flying fish will be leaping playfully around all the little boats: the banana seller on his pedalo, adventurous families in ocean kayaks, dive parties heading out to sea and Captain Bravo's little ferry carrying passengers to and fro. And visitors and St. Lucians alike will be soaking up the atmosphere as they relax in the little bars and restaurants around the water's edge. A Wildlife Sanctuary But it's not just people who love Marigot it's also home to a huge variety of beautiful birds and fish that live there too. Right on the edge of the Soufriere Marine Park, the thick mangroves are a spawning area and the most amazing variety of underwater life in shapes and sizes and colours can be seen under the docks. Huge frigate birds swoop down and pull fish right out of the water and blue herons wade in the shallows looking for smaller prey. Discover Marigot So whatever else you do on your visit to St. Lucia, take time to check out the Marigot Magic for yourself. Whether you want to relax, explore, or take part in the many watersports available, Marigot is waiting to welcome you. MARIGOT HARBOUR Marigot Harbour is completely sheltered and another one of the Caribbean's spectacularly beautiful anchorages. It lies approximately a mile south of the Hess Oil depot at Cul de Sac Bay, which is a conspicuous landmark even by night, as it is brightly lit. When watching for the entrance, keep an eye open for the prominent house with the bright red roof at the southern entrance. You cannot miss it. When entering Marigot Harbour, stay to the southern side of the channel. Anchor anywhere in the inner harbour (the holding is fair in soft mud), then make your way to Customs & Immigration. Marigot Harbour is another official port of entry. The Moorings manages the Hurricane Hole Hotel. In addition to the marina, accommodations include 16 cottages, bar, restaurant, pool and conference facilities. The marina offers long and short-term dockage in addition to supplies of water, fuel and ice. There is a laundry, sail loft and well-stocked mini-market, and the services of a mechanic are also available. Restaurants and shops are nearby. Marigot Bay Hotel monitors VHF 16 and 85, in case you need assistance. Facilities at Marigot Harbour The Moorings Yacht Charters: VHF 16/25, 35 charter yachts; deep water berthing facilities for yachts up to 200'; 26 slips; fuel; water; supermarket. Sail loft and mechanical facilities are available. Restaurants and shops are nearby.
  • St. Lucia Majestic Mountains TWIN PITONS – OUR PRIDE AND JOY Besides having two Nobel laureates, St. Lucia now boasts a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The Pitons. The Pitons are awe-inspiring, even for those who live under their shadow. As for their effect on St. Lucia's visitors, tourists return from their daytrips to Soufrière with a different light in their eye. In short the Pitons are outstanding examples of cultural and natural heritage, the criteria that the UNESCO World Heritage Committee looks for when it comes to bestowing its prestigious stamp. It was in July 2004, during the 28th session of the UNESCO World Heritage Committee in China that St. Lucia received this coveted title. Out of 48 applicants, just five new sites were inscribed onto the illustrious list: the Ilulissat Ice Fjord in Denmark, the Tropical Rainforest Heritage of Sumatra (Indonesia), the Natural System of Wrangel Island Reserve (Russian Federation), the Cape Floral Region Protected Areas of South Africa, and the Pitons Management Area of St. Lucia. Within the Caribbean, St. Lucia has joined Cuba, Dominica, Belize, St. Kitts, the Dominican Republic and Haiti as nations that have sites listed with the World Heritage Committee. The Piton Management Area stretches from Anse L'Ivrogne River in the south to the road linking Esperance to Etangs in the north and east, and the Soufrière Marine Management Area in the west. The best-known features are of course the Gros Piton, Petit Piton and the Sulphur Springs (long advertised as the world's only drive-in volcano). However, the site contains many other unique aspects that the Heritage Committee deemed important to preserve. There are beautiful coral reefs, hawksbill turtles, pilot whales, 168 species of finfish, 148 species of plants (including eight rare trees) and 27 species of birds, five of which are found nowhere else in the world. But, first and foremost, the heritage site contains a rare volcanic complex with its continuously escaping sulphurous fumaroles and hot springs. Gros Piton and Petit Piton are hard 'plugs' of crystallized magma that were once the cores of two volcanoes. The remainder of the mountains has eroded away over time. The Pitons, Sulphur Springs and the surrounding geological features present a history of volcanic activity spanning more than 5 million years. The history of this site, the process of volcanic formation and erosion, can literally be 'read' in the landscape. It is for all of these reasons that St. Lucia's Pitons made it onto our planet's shortlist of outstanding examples of cultural and natural heritage. Working up a sweat for glory The Petit Piton (738 meters) is difficult to conquer, but the Gros Piton despite its greater height (786 meters) can be climbed on a daily basis with the capable help of qualified tour guides who work from the Gros Piton Nature Trail Centre at Fond Gens Libres, at the foot of the Gros Piton. To get there from Soufrière, continue driving towards Choiseul until you reach Etangs, where a sign will show you the route to Fond Gens Libres. Coming from Vieux Fort, take the road that leads through Choiseul village and then follow the signs to the Gros Piton Trail. The centre is open daily from 7 am until 2 pm (or until the last climbers are back). The round trip to the summit of Gros Piton takes approximately four and a half hours. It is advisable to leave well before mid-day. Climbers need to be fit and equipped with sturdy walking shoes or trainers. Drinking water and a snack are necessary items. The first half of the climb is moderately steep and easy; the second half increasingly steep and strenuous. Moreover, some people find the climb back down even harder! There is no need for actual rock-climbing as steps and railings have been put in where the path is particularly difficult to negotiate. However, individuals with a fear of heights are strongly advised against this journey. In certain spots, you look straight down the side of the mountain to the earth below or the Caribbean Sea - a long, long way down. And what is the best reward for all this effort? The view. From the top of the Gros Piton, it is simply glorious.
  • St. Lucia Numbers ISLAND NUMBERS AIRLINES Air Canada Toll-Free: 1-800-744-2472 Air France 458-8282 Air Caraibes George F. L. Charles Airport 453-0357 Air Jamaica Reservations: 1-800-523-5585 Hewanorra 454-8870 American Eagle, George F. L. Charles Airport 452-1820/1840 British Airways 15-17 Brazil St. Clico Bldg. 452-7444/3951 Hewanorra 454-6172 BWIA West Indies Airways Micoud St. Reservations: 1-800-538-2942 Hewanorra454-5075 Caribbean Star 20 Bridge Street 453-2927 Toll-Free 1-800-744-star LIAT (1974) Ltd. Brazil Street 1-888-844-5428 George F. L. Charles Airport: 453-1219/452-2348 St. Lucia Helicopters Island Flyers Hangar George F. L. Charles Airport 453-6950 Virgin Atlantic Hewannora Airport 454-3610 Toll-Free:1-800-744-7477 TRAVEL AGENCIES Carib Travel, 28 Micoud St., Castries 452-3176/2151 Clarke St., Vieux Fort 454-6450/6771 Going Places Travel 77 Brazil St., Castries 452-1293/3282 Hibiscus Travel Bourbon St., Castries453-1527 Solar Tours and Travel Bridge St., Castries 452-5898/19041 Travel Concepts, Inc. Maurice Mason Ave., San Souci 458-2243/44 BANKS Bank of Nova Scotia William Peter Blvd. 456-2100 Rodney Bay 452-8805 Bank of St. Lucia Bridge Street 456-6000 Vieux Fort 454-7780 Gros Islet 450-0928 Soufriere 459-7450 First Caribbean Int'l Bank William Peter Blvd. 452-3751 Bridge Street 456-1000 Rodney Bay Marina 452-9384 Vieux Fort454-6255 Soufriere 459-7255 RBTT Bank Micoud Street 451-7469 Gable Woods Mall 452-2265 Royal Bank of Canada William Peter Blvd. 456-9200 Rodney Bay 452-9252 St. Lucia Co-operative Bank Castries 455-7000 Rodney Bay 452-8882 Vieux Fort 454-6213 BEAUTY SALONS Health and Beauty Day Spa Bois d' Orange 452-8031 Emily's Beauty Supply and Hair Salon Brazil St.452-7338 Mag's Unisex Hair and Body Care Shoppe: Vigie 452-4096 Norma's Hair Design Gablewoods Mall 452-3566/3112 Rina's Beauty Salon Rex St. Lucian 452-8351 ext: 3046 Saint Clair's Hairdressers Mongiraud, Castries 452-2106 Ziggy's Hair Salon JQ's Mall Rodney Bay 458-0000 Club St. Lucia Spa 450-0551 CAR RENTALS Alto Rent-A-Car Castries 452-0233 Hewanorra 454-5311 Avis Rent -A-Car Vide Bouteille 452-2700/2202 Reservations 451-6976 Budget Rent-A-Car 452-8673 Hewanorra 454-5311 Cool Breeze Jeep Rentals Soufriere 459-7729 Castries 458-2031 Cost Less Rent-A- Car Bois d' Orange 450-3416 Courtesy Car Rentals Bois d' Orange 452-8140/08140 Bay Gardens Hotel 452-8060 Bay Gardens Inn 452-8200 Guy's Car Rentals Castries 451-7147 HERTZ/Sun-Fun Tours Ltd. Castries 452-0680/0679 After Hours 450-0742 Holiday & Business Car Rental Rodney Bay Gros Islet 452-0872 After Hours 453-2613/04562 PHARMACIES Clarke's Drug Store Bridge Street 452-2727/2694 M & C's Drugstore Bridge Street 458-8000 Gablewoods Mall 458-8151 JQ's Mall Rodney Bay 458-8153 JQ's Plaza Vieux Fort 458-8154 St. Lucia Health & Utility Services Bois d' Orange 452-8271 PHOTO LABS Cadets' 1 Hour Photo Lab Hospital Road 453-1446 Foto 1 Club High Street 453-0514 The Photo Shop JQ'S Mall Rodney Bay458-0386 Reflections Video & Photo Productions 450-4729 EMBASSIES AND CONSULATES ST LUCIA TOURIST BOARD St. Lucia Head Office |Sureline Bldg., Vide Bouteille P.O Box 221, Castries Tel: 452-4094, Fax: 453-1121 www.stlucia.org email: slutour@candw.lc Canada 130 Albert Street, Suite 700 Ottawa, Ontario K1P 5G4, Canada Tel: 416-362-4242 Fax: 416-362-7832 email: echcc@travel-net.com United Kingdom 1 Collingham Garden Earls Court London SW5 OHW Tel: 011-44-207-370-7123 Fax: 011-44-207-370-1905 email:hcslu@btconnect.com United States 800 2nd Ave. 9th Floor New York, NY 10017 Tel: 212-697-9360 Fax: 212-697-4993 email: slumission@aol.com CONSULATES AND EMBASSIES British High Commission Francis Compton Building 2nd Floor, Water Front Castries, St. Lucia Tel: 452-2484/5/6 Fax: 453-1543 Mon -Fri: 8am-12:30pm Chinese Embassy Cap Estate, P.O Box GM 999 Castries, St. Lucia Tel: 452-0903, Fax: 452-9495 Mon-Fri: 8:30am to 12:00pm, & 2pm to 4:30pm Cuban Embassy Rodney Heights P.O Box 1250, Gros Islet, St. Lucia Tel: 458-4665 Fax: 458-4666 Mon-Fri: 9:30am to 2pm email: embacuba@candw.lc Dominican Republic Consulate Cnr. Brazil and Mongiraud Streets P.O Box 45, Castries, St. Lucia Tel: 452-7865 Fax: 452-2931 Mon-Fri: 8:30am to 12 noon & 1:30pm-4:30pm French Embassy Nelson Mandela Drive, Vigie St.Lucia Tele: 455-6060 Fax: 455-6056 Mon, Tue, Thurs, Fri -8am to 3pm Wed-1pm to 5pm, visiting: 8:30am-1pm Guyana Consulate American Drywall Bldg., P.O Box 2003 Castries, St. Lucia. Tel: 453-0309 Fax: 451-7029 Mon-Fri: 8am to 4:30pm Honorary Consul for the Federal Republic of German P.O Box 2025, Gros Islet Tel: 450-8050, email: karencave@candw.lc Italian Vice Consulate Reduit, P.O Box GM 848, Castries, St. Lucia Tel: 452-0865/6 Fax: 452-0869 email: casalucia@candw.lc.com Mon-Fri:1pm to 4pm (appointment only) Jamaican Consulate 27 Micoud Street, P.O Box 81, Castries Tel: 452-3040 Fax: 452-2499 Mon-Fri: 8:30am to 4:30pm email: chongco@candw.lc Netherlands Consulate M & C Building, P.O Box 1020, 9-11 Bridge Street, Castries, St. Lucia Tel: 452-3592 Fax: 458-8007 Mon-Fri: 8am to 4:30pm email: peterd.mc@candw.lc Norwegian Consulate Bon Air, Marisule Gros Islet, St. Lucia Tel: 450-1548 Mon-Fri: 8am to 4pm Royal Danish Consul & Swedish Consul P.O Box RB2500, Rodney Bay, St. Lucia Tel: 450-0190, 452-9617 Fax: 450-0191 email: royalknight@candw.lc Weekdays 10am to 12 noon Venezuelan Embassy Casa Vigie, P.O Box 494, Castries, St. Lucia Tel: 758-452-4033, Fax: 758-453-6747 Mon-Fri: 8am to 3pm, email: vembassy@candw.lc
  • St. Lucia Oliphe Blossom THE OLIPHE BLOSSOME This year marks the 400th anniversary of the arrival of the British ship the Oliphe Blossome in St. Lucia. The meeting that took place between Europeans and the Amerindian people, the island's inhabitants, was short-lived and catastrophic. The eyewitness account of John Nicholl, a European survivor, is the only documented evidence of the drama that was played out at Anse de Sable beach in Vieux Fort. On April 12, 1605, the Oliphe Blossome sailed from England loaded with provisions and men for the new colony of Guiana. After seventeen miserable weeks at sea, food and water were rationed. Mutinies had broken out and when land was finally sighted, it was St. Lucia, not South America that had been found. Immediately, 'the Carebeyes came in their Periagoes or Boats abord us with great store of Tobacco, Plantons, Potatoes, Pines, Sugar Canes, and diverse other fruit.' The friendly reception encouraged 67 Englishmen to stay behind. The Caribs sold them some fishing huts at the mouth of the Vieux Fort River. The Caribs lived in a village two kilometers to the north. 'Captaine' of this village was Anthonie. Every day, his men visited the Englishmen to trade 'for all manner of victual'. In exchange, the English gave them 'hatchets, knives, beads, fish-hooks, and thimbles, with other trifles.' The English and the Indians marvelled at each other's eating habits: 'by no meanes wee could not make them eate salt: for they use to eate all their meate seasoned with Ginnie Pepper.' For four weeks, all went well. Then Anthonie's brother, Augraumart, a chief from St Vincent arrived and discord started. Anthonie said that Augraumart was planning to murder the Englishmen. Yet Augraumart was very kind, showing the Englishmen how to process cassava. Augraumart then warned the English 'that Anthonie would cut our throates.' Matters deteriorated when one Englishman sold Anthonie a sword. His mates decided this was too dangerous. They found Anthonie 'in his bed, which they call an Hamaco, with a little fire under him because he was not well, and the Sword standing by him, which yong Sen-Johns tooke and brought forth to us. This drove [Anthonie] into a great rage against us.' The white men then discovered that the Caribs wore 'for an ornament upon the small of their naked armes a four-square plate, which maister Browne a Gold-finer told Captain Sen-Johns had three partes of it Golde.' When asked where they found their gold, the Caribs pointed to 'a great Mountaine on the North-west part of the Island whose toppe we might see from the place where wee dwelt'. Was this Gros Piton? Sixteen Englishmen set out on a gold-finding expedition. They were never seen again. The remaining Englishmen suspected foul play. The Caribs ceased visiting their settlement. Hungry and curious, John Nicholl and some others walked to the Carib village. They found the women preparing a feast. They refused to feed the Englishmen who then found the Caribs' gardens and helped themselves. The next day, a group of Caribs led by Augraumart and his father visited the Englishmen, bringing roasted land crabs and inviting them to the village for more food. The Englishmen were suspicious - but were swayed when Augraumart promised them hammocks. The English had begged for these, 'because they would bee a meanes to save us from the Stings of a certaine Flye called a Musketo, the which would so torment us with their poysoned stings, and cause us to swell as though we had the Leprosie.' After an impromptu party, all the Caribs left except for Augraumart and his father who offered to walk them to the village to fetch the hammocks. The two Caribs carried no bows and arrows, only a 'Brasell sworde'. The English carried their guns and felt safe. Walking across Cape Moule-à-Chique and onto Anse de Sable beach, the Englishmen were huffing and puffing. Plodding through soft sand, they were sweating and cursing the heat, their clothing and their heavy weapons. Only one Englishman enjoyed himself: 'Maister Alexander had put off his Doublet, and gave his Boy his Peece, & went jesting and playing arme in arme with the two Carrebyes… The men reached Pointe Sable: a sandy point to the north of Anse de Sable. To their left, the beach was covered in bush. Ahead of them and to their right was the sea. 'And when [Master Alexander] least suspected daunger, Augraumart made as though hee would imbrace him. And suddenlye clasping helde with one hand on his Rapyer, and the other on his Dagger, and his Father with a great Brassel Sword strooke him downe…' The Englishmen were trapped. 'Then came the Arrowes so thicke out of the wood, that we could not get our match in the Cocke for pulling the Arrowes out of our bodye' The English dropped their guns and pulled out their swords but this only encouraged the Amerindians... 'for when they see wee could not hurt them with our peeces, they would come so neere us, as though they purposed to make choyce in what place to hit us.' And so it went, Caribs shooting arrow upon arrow at the Englishmen whose attack was as futile as their defense. Nicholl and another survivor ran into a narrow bush path leading away from the beach. Pursued by Caribs, Nicholl's companion was shot in the head. 'I leapt into the wood, downe to the valley, where I found a great Lake: And hearing them, with great showts and cry, which they use in signe of triumph and victory, pursue mee still, I leapt into the Lake, with my sword nayled to my hand, and two arrowes in my backe.' Nicholl had entered the swamps where Hewanorra International Airport now stands. By the time the Caribs attacked the English settlement, Nicholl and his friends had the great cannon ready. However, the Caribs shot burning arrows into the huts and charged under the cover of thick smoke. After a week without food, the Englishmen surrendered. They traded their last belongings for a canoe and some cloth. Thus, 'upon the xxvi (26) of September 1605, at one a clocke after midnight, we embarqued all xix (19) in that little Vessel or Boate which the Indians had made all of one tree ... Our Roapes for our Sayle were our Garters, and our Yard a Lance.' Thus ended the first-ever English settlement of St. Lucia. Many Europeans lost their lives to Carib attacks before the close of the 17th century. The Caribs finally succumbed but they did not give up without a fight.
  • St. Lucia Our History OUR HISTORY The Amerindians were well established in St. Lucia long before the first European ever set foot on the island. At that time, the island bore the Amerindian name 'Ioüanalao' and 'Hewanorra,' meaning 'there where the iguana is found'. The island was first populated by the Ciboneys, who were hunters and gatherers, and who disappeared leaving little trace of their presence. The Arawaks, adept potters, weavers, builders, agriculturists and shipwrights followed them. Records suggest that they enjoyed nearly 800 years of peace before a new warrior group, Kalinago, also known as Caribs, overcame them. Once the Caribs over powered the Arawaks, they executed the male Arawaks and kept the females as wives. The Kalinago were supreme rulers of the Windward Islands even as the sails of the first European ships were sighted, an event that would come to change the entire course of the development of these islands. Even though historians credit the Spaniards for giving the island her modern-day name, ('Santa Alousie' was first used in the late sixteenth century), they gave the island a wide berth and never bothered to colonize it. They did not want to take on the Kalinago and St. Lucia was not known to have gold deposits. The Europeans on the other hand were inexorable and their coming finally put an end to Amerindian supremacy. The first European to settle in St. Lucia was François Le Clerc, known as Jambe de Bois or Wooden Leg. He was a pirate who set himself up on Pigeon Island from where he attacked passing Spanish vessels. The English first landed in 1605, having been blown off course on their way to Guyana aboard their vessel, the Olive Branch. Sixty-seven settlers landed and purchased huts from the Kalinago. One month later only 19 were left and these were forced to flee the Kalinago in a canoe. The French arrived in 1651 when representatives of the French West India Company bought the island. Eight years later, ownership disputes between the French and English ignited hostilities that would endure for 150 years. During this time, the island changed hands fourteen times. There is the more recent school of thought that suggests that this change over of ownership occurred many more than the originally thought fourteen times. There is agreement however, that St. Lucia was finally ceded to the British in 1814. From the 1760's onwards, St. Lucia developed into a sugar-producing economy, built on African slave labour. However, the endless conflicts between the French and English colonial powers over St. Lucia's strategic military value impeded the development of its plantations, and by the late 18th century, the French revolutionary cry of 'Liberté, Egalité, Fraternité' reached St. Lucia. Under Revolutionary law, slavery was abolished in 1794 and the political equality of the coloured man was officially recognized. Freed slaves proceeded to wipe out the plantation infrastructure. Resistance against British attempts to re-take the island was orchestrated by the Maroons: renegade ex-slaves who lived in secret hideouts in inaccessible parts of the island. The Maroons joined forces with the French Revolutionary army to form L'Armée Française des Bois. St. Lucia became Ste. Lucie la Fidèle and all of the towns were given revolutionary names such as La Patriote (Laborie), La Revolution (Gros Islet), and Le Republicain (Dennery). The Revolutionaries held St. Lucia for fifteen months against the British. The Maroons finally surrendered arms in 1797 but refused to accept slavery, which the British insisted on reinstating. According to British records, these brave men were returned to Africa. The British finally abolished slavery in 1834. After Emancipation, many former slaves were unwilling to stay on as labourers at the plantations and the colonial powers sought alternatives. In 1882, the first Indian immigrants arrived from the provinces of Uttar Pradesh and Bihar. About half of them returned home at the end of their indenture while the others settled permanently in St. Lucia, enriching the island's cultural diversity. St. Lucia's economic base has traditionally been agricultural. Sugar, the first mono-crop was eventually abandoned in the 1950s, when bananas became the largest export crop. Over the last few years however, privileges enjoyed by the West Indian banana in Europe have ended and St. Lucia must diversify into other areas or face real economic hardship. Tourism is now the most important source of foreign exchange. St. Lucia is also one of the largest transshipment points for containerized cargo in the Eastern Caribbean. The colonial motto 'statio haud malefidia carinis' - a safe haven for ships, still applies to the island. In 1842, English became the island's official language but St. Lucia retains a strong French heritage. The majority of the island's place names are French and the Creole language, born of St. Lucia's Amerindian, African and European roots, is widely spoken. St. Lucia moved towards independence in 1951 when suffrage was granted to all citizens over twenty-one. In 1967, England granted the island full self-government and St. Lucia, a member of the British Commonwealth, became an independent nation on February 22nd 1979. The island retains the Westminster-based parliamentary system but a Senate made up of government and opposition appointees debates house bills. According to the latest census, St. Lucia's population stands at 156,000, of which about 62,000 live in and around the capital, Castries.
  • St. Lucia Shopping ISLAND SHOPPING For Duty-free shopping, downtown Castries is where you want to be. Now that the new look La Place Carenage Shopping Mall is up and running, you have choice at your fingertips. Of course Pointe Seraphine offers you 39 shops to browse through. And with the introduction of internationally recognized names such as Colombian Emeralds International, Diamonds International, and Harry Edwards Jewelers, we guarantee that once you are here in St. Lucia, there is a little bit of something for everyone. From the finest in timepieces, china, crystal and jewellery, when you shop in St. Lucia, you come home to local shopping attractions galore. St. Lucia offers a truly island shopping experience, and the local rum packs in quite a punch! Bounty Rum is made right here and if you would like to sample the spirit before buying it, a tasting session is part of a guided tour to the Roseau distillery just south of Castries. Now we have it on good authority that island condiments and spices are highly sought after. Well if that is on your list of take home items, ask at your hotel for a supply of Baron Foods condiments or, visit Julian's at Gablewoods Mall. Your taste buds will thank you. For a truly island shopping experience, think St. Lucia! And for the finest quality kids clothing - Capri jeans, Polo shirts, Shorts for boys and girls and Accessories, visit Kids International at Pointe Seraphine, Castries or at La Place Carenage. Anju Silvers: Truly a shopper's delight! With excellent locations in the J.Q. Charles Shopping Mall at Rodney Bay, at the Pointe Seraphine Duty Free Shopping Complex, and at La Place Carenage, Anju Silvers offers a world of silvers to choose from. Caribbean Perfumes: Capture the romance forever! Located in the tropical gardens of the new and improved Froggie Jacques Tropical Bistro, the Perfumery has been creating exquisite aromas of exotic flowers, fruits, precious woods and spices for over 30 years. Visit Caribbean Perfumes for exquisite aromas; for delightful selections; for men and women. Selections may be purchased as a gift set of miniatures. Exquisite Emeralds and So Much More At Colombian Emeralds International: In St. Lucia the stunning selection of fine jewellery at CEI is as breathtaking as its five island locations. With a 30-year reputation for quality, integrity, and value, it's easy to see why CEI has been voted Best Duty-Free Retailer of the Year four years in a row by the Readers of the leading Travel Magazine! To find the most valuable emeralds CEI goes directly to the source - the master emerald cutters of Colombia. Their skilled hands have carved a name for CEI as one of the largest most respected jewelers in the world. If green is not for you, that's fine, because the same attention to detail, style and value can be found in Colombian Emeralds International's rainbow offering of other colored gem-set jewellery including diamonds and tanzanite. In addition to beautiful fine jewellery, great buys at up to 44% off U.S. retail can be found on internationally famous watches such as Jaeger Le Coultre, Ebel, Tag Heuer, Raymond Weil, Citizen, Wenger, and Seiko. At Colombian Emeralds International a complimentary International Guarantee, Certified Appraisal, and Free 90-Day Insurance Replacement Against Damage, Loss, or Theft comes with every purchase. Be sure to ask about instant credit and instant savings when you visit Colombian Emeralds International. In St. Lucia at Pointe Seraphine, Hewanorra Airport, Sandals St. Lucia Golf Resort & Spa, Sandals Grande St. Lucia, and Perfect Time in Point Seraphine. Diamonds International: 'The Diamond Specialists of the Caribbean.' Diamonds International has grown to become the largest loose diamond and diamond jewelry duty free center in the Caribbean. There are thousands of tourists cruising to the Caribbean and Alaska as well as the hotel guests on our many islands each year and Diamonds International recognizes their needs. From those who save a lifetime to cruise once, to those who dock their private yachts in Rodney Bay, our customers know that they will find quality, value and complete customer satisfaction under our awnings. Diamonds International has never deviated from those basic business principles. It has earned us an established customer base of individuals who will only trust the Diamonds International name for all their fine jewelry purchases. - First class selection of loose diamonds (from 0.1ct to 10ct) - Finest selection of Sapphires, Emeralds, Rubies and Tanzanite - We custom design your own unique piece (stone setting in one hour) - Proficient Sales Associates and GIA Gemologists to assist you - All diamonds graded and certified to ensure accuracy and value - Lifetime upgrades and Trade-ins on diamonds - Exquisite selection of designer jewelry - Choice timepieces - Customer Service 1-800-51-JEWEL Jewelers Warehouse: Save up to 50% on Fine Jewelry and Watches from the islands Value Leader...Featuring a fantastic assortment of fine jewelry including diamonds, emeralds, rubies, sapphires, tanzanite, fashion gold and more....all at 50% off. Plus Jewelers Warehouse is a great place to find gifts at affordable prices, see the 14kt and 18kt gold chains, bracelets and earrings at 50% off. You can take advantage of savings of up to 44% off on US recommended prices on International watches. And shop with confidence because you get a certified appraisals with every purchase, at the time of purchase. While in St. Lucia be sure to visit Jewelers Warehouse. Gablewoods Mall: It's all about you! You can shop for groceries, use banking facilities, go to the gym, shop for toys, use postal services, or complete a host of other personal chores in one convenient location. While most of the shops close between 6:00pm and 7:00pm, Julian's Supermarket offers service until 9:00pm on weekends. Harry Edwards Jewelers: St. Lucia's premier fine duty free Jewelry, watches, crystal, china and accessories Stores are located at Pointe Seraphine, the best duty-free facility in the Caribbean and at La Place Carenage in the city of Castries. Since its establishment in 1999, Harry Edwards has grown in leaps and bounds, winning the coveted title of the Best Duty-free Retailer of the year 2001-2002. At Harry Edwards we can boast to having the wildest selection in watches and jewelry being the official agents for world-renowned brands such as ROLEX, BREITLING, CARTIER OMEGA and among others, MOVADO, RAYMOND WEIL, TAG HEUER AND GUCCI. Our stores are decorated to enhance the elegance of market leading brand name jewelry such as DAVID YURMAN, ASH GROSSBARDT AND KABANA, including a large collection of 14 and 18 Karat Gold Jewelry. In our well-ordained stores our range of branded products expands to include our China Crystal and accessories collection second to none as we carry leading brand names such as LLADRO, WATERFORD AND MONT BLANC Pens. Our long-standing staff with experience of 10 years and more will make shopping at HARRY EDWARDS JEWELERS simply magnificent. La Place Carenage: A must see for persons visiting St. Lucia! A delightful experience in the old, tastefully re-decorated with the new. This is the new look La Place Carenage, where you can sample some of the local delicacies of the island. Here, you can enjoy such delights before buying and perhaps take home a secret recipe - A taste that's truly St. Lucian! Pointe Seraphine Duty Free Shopping Centre: 'St. Lucia's Biggest Duty Free Shopping Mall'. Pointe Seraphine is the most modern and extensive Duty Free Shopping Complex in the Caribbean. This top quality Spanish style facility is an extension of the port facilities, conveniently located within walking distance of the city of Castries and George F.L Charles Airport. Duty Free Pointe Seraphine consists of thirty nine shops providing a full range of high class merchandise at bargain prices, silk screened items, porcelain and china, cigarettes, liquor, jewellery, watches, electronic equipment, fine leather goods and a wide selection of arts and crafts. Our restaurant and Café provide visitors with fresh local juices, as well as local and international cuisine. Caribbean style braiding can also be done right here on the compound. A must for every visitor, but do remember to bring along your Airline ticket and passport so you can take advantage of the duty free bargains. For further information, please contact National Development Corporation at Tel: 1-(758) 452-3036, Fax 1-(758) 458-1088. Or visit our website www.stluciandc.com. Roseau Sugar Factory: Situated in the Roseau valley amidst a vast banana plantation, Roseau Sugar Factory is just 20 minutes from Castries. Among the biggest highlights is The Rhythm of Rum Tour, a fantastic journey through the history of rum complete with a detailed distillery tour and a chance to sample some rums and liqueurs. For more information and bookings, please contact your rep or contact us on: Tel: (758) 451 4315/4528; Fax - (758) 451 4221; emaiL: tour@sludistillers.com. Great Gift Shopping: And of course if all you want to shop for are knick-knacks and small gift items, then by all means drop into the Toy Shop or Cards & Things at the Gablewoods Mall. When you are not out shopping for sites or sunshine, St. Lucia has quite a package of variety that is yours for the sampling! Walk with your water and suntan lotion, and happy browsing... Eudovic's Art Studio When one speaks of sculpting in St. Lucia, the name Joseph Eudovic resonates with reverence and an almost cult-like admiration for a man who has forsaken all else and devoted his life to creating mystical sculptures which adorn homes and galleries across St. Lucia, the Caribbean and the world. His is a calling which manifested itself when Eudovic was just 12 years old. It was at that age he entered his first exhibition and won first prize with his piece called Ali Baba. At the end of his schooling in St. Lucia, Eudovic migrated to Trinidad where he became a protégé of Ricardo Vicenté for ten years. While in Trinidad, he competed at various exhibitions and won several prizes. His next sojourn was to Nigeria where he spent seven months, complements the UN, on what he considers the most profound experience of his life as a sculptor. In Nigeria, Eudovic encountered many extraordinary artists who taught and influenced him a great deal. He studied monumental sculpture and the traditional art of Yoruba. He also studied the artistic symbols of the people and their tradition of sculpturing, which is old and very elaborate. When it comes to accolades, Joseph Eudovic's list is very long. Among them though are multiple M&C Fine Arts Awards including a Lifetime Achievement Award. Back in 1975, he was named Best Caribbean Wood Sculptor for which he won the Golden Medal Award. Eudovic has exhibited at home and abroad including the neighboring French Isles of Martinique and Guadeloupe, Trinidad, St. Vincent and further afield. Today, he owns and operates, Eudovic's Art Studio. Perched above the lush banana fields of the Roseau Valley, Eudovic's Art Studio is a working studio with workshop, gallery, souvenir shop, restaurant and guest house. On an average day, visitors can see young sculptors chipping away at local wood to create eye-catching pieces. Master sculptor Joseph Eudovic has imparted his skill to many St. Lucian youngsters within and outside the school system, not least of which is his own son Jalim. In fact, Jalim is making quite a name for himself, having captured a few prestigious awards and exhibited at the Commonwealth Games in Canada. All indications are that the Eudovic dynasty is here to stay. For more information on Eudovic's Art Studio go to www.eudovicart.com or email info@eudivicart.com. If you're visiting St. Lucia, you can call them at 452-2747 or Fax 459-0124 for a free guided tour of the facility located at Goodlands.
  • St. Lucia Sports ISLAND SPORTS Beautiful St. Lucia is surrounded by warm, clear, blue seas that are ideal for a variety of watersports, whether motorized or non-motorized, including windsurfing, swimming, sailing and deep-sea fishing. Climactic conditions are perfect for any number of outdoor activities including tennis, jogging, horseback riding and more. For hikers, there are numerous possibilities, while joggers can run along the vast array of beautiful beaches. For the dedicated fitness buffs, St. Lucia has gyms and aerobic studios that meet international standards. SCUBA DIVING Scuba Diving and snorkeling have been taken to a new level, as you can receive certification in a PADI (Professional Association Diving Instruction) or NAUI (National Association for Underwater Instruction) course while on vacation. Check with your hotel for more information CRICKET A new National Stadium in the south of the island and a state of the art national cricket ground at Beausejour in the north have catapulted sports to a whole new level. So if cricket is your game, you can easily 'catch a lime' if you plan your vacation to fall during a one day international or a test series. See you in St. Lucia. GOLF St. Lucia Golf and Country Club has the only 18-hole golf course in St. Lucia. It is conveniently located in the northern part of St. Lucia within Cap Estate. The golf course was designed by John Ponko, who worked with the legendary golf course architect Robert Trent Jones Sr., and it offers fabulous views of the Caribbean and Atlantic coastlines. The 6,815 yard, Par 71 championship golf course is a challenge to serious and recreational golfers. The club's facilities include a state-of-the-art 350 yard driving range and golf academy, and a club house and pro shop. Club rentals are available. Lessons are also available from the club's resident golf professional. Golf carts are mandatory and golf shoes with soft spikes or tennis shoes are also required. Lessons and tee times can be reserved by calling 450-8523. Sandals Regency St. Lucia Golf Resort & Spa has a par 33 nine-hole eleven green course, maintained by a highly qualified golf superintendent. You can tee off daily from 7:45am to 4pm all year round. Sandals guests are entitled to complimentary green fees. Call 452 3081 for more information. FITNESS Sportivo at Rodney Heights, above Key Largo Restaurant, is the largest gym and fitness facility in St. Lucia. The centre offers a fully equipped gym with name brand machines, a cardio-vascular room with treadmills, steppers, bikes and rebook Elliptical trainers. The 2,200 square foot wooden-spring dance floor is used for Jazzercise, Body Pump, Body Attack and Spinning. Other services include personal training and sports conditioning programmes. Look out for annual Fitness Jam Conventions. Open six days a week. 452-8899/452-0282. Email: piazza@candw.lc. Website: www.SPORTIVONOW.com. THE ARC RACE The Atlantic Rally for Cruisers is becoming a huge sport for seafarers. This is perhaps the annual water event that links people from more than half way across the world to St. Lucia, in days of wild fun on the high seas. If you are in to yachting, consider if not this year, but certainly once in your lifetime, joining the team from Las Palmas, as they head down south to St. Lucia where this grand race culminates amidst champagne and merriment. Contact the St. Lucia Tourist Board at prsltb@candw.lc for more information.
  • St. Lucia Sundown ISLAND SUNDOWN ISLAND SUNDOWN Even after the sun goes down the fun does not stop. The first order of business is to ask what's on after dinner at your hotel. Once you have confirmed that you have some hours to kill after 10 pm, then you can plan to do the traditional restaurant or nightclub lime, in which case you would beat the circuit primarily in the Rodney Bay Village area, which is in the north of the island. You have many choices that promise good food and happy hours all night long; Indies Night Club, for the hottest mix of Caribbean and international music; The Late Lime restaurant for live music, karaoke, and great food. Further more, all provide great opportunities to relax and let your hair down while you feel the island pulse. But if you are a little more daring, and want a taste of the not so ordinary, then you can rendezvous along the east or west coast, or travel down to the southern town of Vieux Fort, for All the Fish you can eat. You should not leave this paradise before you have tasted of the island fish... FRIDAY SEAFOOD - Anse la Raye This village, just south of Castries, on the West Coast, offers a Friday night fish feast as you like it. This is really what St. Lucians would describe as a nice lime. More than that though, it is a showcase of our culture, our food and how we can have a good time. The streets pulse with life and you can try to bargain for the best price on your juicy piece of fish, but the vendors have it down to pat! Just chill with a snapper or lobster, or any other fish in season, and remember it does not happen like this anywhere else in the world! In the most natural setting, you can browse, chat, and certainly enjoy our fish, our way, with your friends and family. You can enjoy a soft sea breeze, or you can shake a leg or two once the music starts and for a split second you will think that you should have been born here, because all this is too good to be true. The atmosphere is festive yet casual and relaxing and offers an authentic taste of island life. FISH FIESTA - Dennery On the East Coast, about 45 minutes from Castries, in the village of Dennery, the promise of delectable, home cooked fish-on-the-beach comes alive. Check it out, weekends. You will have more fun if you go with friends. SWARE - Vieux Fort The newest hottest street party moves to the south of the island. Every Friday, it is eat all the fish you can, in true island style, to the beat of rhythmic Caribbean music. If you are in the north and you want to explore, feel free to hop on a cab with friends and take either the east coast or the west coast down. Whichever way you travel, you will have a whale of a time. STREET PARTY - Gros Islet The original street party lime. Gros Islet Night on Friday evenings - just goes on and on. Think of it as your favourite song and you can let the beat go on and on. Every Friday night the barbecue grills come out onto the sidewalks and glowing coals sizzle beneath chicken and conch kebabs. All the bars down Gros Islet's main street are a hive of activity with visitors and St. Lucians. Speakers set up on street corners keep the audience hopping with a variety of Caribbean rhythms. One word of advice before you go: dress casually and remember there is always safety in numbers. J.J.S PARADISE - Marigot Bay Now if you are still not satisfied, then ask about J.J.s PARADISE in Marigot Bay, a great place to party. On weekends you can party to a live band, while you enjoy food and a fun atmosphere out of town. Seafood Night at J.J.'s Paradise is not to be missed. To top it off, all night is happy hour. Enjoy all you can drink at very affordable rates, while you enjoy your snacks overlooking the sea. Due to the popularity of Seafood Night on Wednesdays, J.J. recommends that diners make reservations. Call 451-4076 or VHF 16 if you are coming by boat. SUNSET CRUISES This is where you ask the all important question - is this the beginning of the end or the end of the beginning ... You can spend the day in abject fun, and you can still choose an original way to continue the evening with a Sunset Cruise which departs at 5 pm and sails the west coast while the sun disappears beneath the horizon. Depending on the vessel, you might enjoy champagne, rum punch and soft drinks. The most popular sunset cruises are offered right here in Simply Beautiful St. Lucia. Ask your tour operator or at your hotel tour desk for more information.
  • St. Lucia Tourist Board News St. Lucia Jazz 2006 - Who's Coming? Preparations for St. Lucia Jazz 2006 are well advanced as the St. Lucia Tourist Board looks ahead at celebrating the event's 15th anniversary. The line-up is key to attracting the level of audience support the Board is looking for and patrons can look forward to a stunning galaxy of stars. Several notable performers are being looked at with a view to creating the type of buzz around the event that will generate the excitement needed to make it a big success. The Board is constantly exploring new opportunities to improve the event as evident in this year's new stage location and construction. The rained-out final performance in 2004 engaged the Board in looking at a more permanent solution to keeping the show going, despite wet conditions. - and so the transparent, plastic Dome was born. This proved a major success for St. Lucia Jazz 2005 with patrons giving the move a very high thumbs up. Negotiations with several well known international and regional performers are continuing with the Board looking to pull off another grand finale in 2006. Interest in the Board's flagship event is at an all time high, with enquiries and suggestions about the line-up coming in throughout the year. Plans are to make the 15th St. Lucia Jazz (May 5th to 14th, 2006) a special commemorative event for all of its supporters- fans, sponsors and organizers. LADERA - World's #1, says Conde Nast In a surprise double victory, Conde Nast Traveler readers have voted St. Lucia's Ladera not only the 'Best Hotel in the Caribbean,' but gave it the highest score of any hotel in the world, ranking it the 'Best of the Best' in the overall hotel category. Ladera, an intimate 25-room, open-air hotel overlooking the rainforest and Caribbean sea, with a commanding view of the Pitons, opened in St. Lucia in 1992. It is known for its distinctive eco-lodge architecture, constructed utilizing Caribbean timbers. Modeled after luxury tree-house living and a relaxed, barefoot life-style, guestrooms were intentionally built without a fourth wall, yet are designed to be both sheltered and completely private. The design affords spectacular sunset views and unobstructed star gazing at night. Dasheene, Ladera's restaurant is noted throughout the Caribbean for its innovative kitchen and creative renderings of island cuisine. Dasheene's menu is based on native ingredients and relies on the local bounty for its fresh, innovative take on West Indian dishes. The produce is grown exclusively for the resort by St. Lucia's farmers. Fish is caught daily in nearby waters and seasonings and spices are harvested from indigenous St. Lucian plants. The honor marks the first time in the 18 year history of the awards that a Caribbean hotel has appeared on the 'Best of the Best' list. The awards are featured in the November issue of Conde Nast Traveler, currently available on newsstands. For reservations guests may call Ladera toll free at 800-738-4752 or send an e-mail to reservations@ladera.com Yachting Magazine for St. Lucia St. Lucia's STAR Publishing has added yet another high quality magazine to its stable of publications, with the introduction of Aqua Isles. Publisher Mae Wayne says this was probably one of her more challenging projects to date, as working on the magazine was a steep learning curve. 'We really had to learn about boating very quickly to speak authoritatively about it. But in the end I think we have produced a high impact magazine that will appeal to the yachting segment internationally.' says Wayne. Aqua Isles is set to debut at the launch of the Atlantic Rally for Cruisers, in Las Palmas, Spain. It will give participants insight into St. Lucia's yachting scene before their arrival. Delta Complements SLTB ad launch The St. Lucia Tourist Board completed the Atlanta leg of the launch of its new consumer advertising campaign at the end of last month and many see it as complementary to Delta Airlines' announcement of additional service to St. Lucia. Delta will begin daily non-stop flights from Atlanta into St. Lucia, beginning December 1st, 2005. According to Minister of Commerce, Tourism, Investment & Consumer Affairs, Hon. Philip J. Pierre, the island is continuously working on securing increased airlift to satisfy demand for the destination. He says discussions are on-going on several fronts with partners in the airline industry, the results of which should bear fruit in the new year. One anticipated development is the return of Air Jamaica . SLTB to attend World Travel Market Staged annually in London, under one roof, World Travel Market is a must-attend business to business exhibition that provides a unique opportunity for the whole global travel trade industry to meet, network, negotiate and conduct business. St. Lucia will participate through the St. Lucia Tourist Board with a delegation led by Tourism Minister Philip J. Pierre. Also down to attend is Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Tourism, Maria Fowell and Director of Tourism, Peter Hilary Modeste. By attending World Travel Market, participants efficiently, effectively and productively gain immediate competitive advantage for their business and stay abreast with the latest developments in the travel industry. WTM 2005 is set to be the largest ever with over 5000 national tourist offices, industry organizations, tour operators, hotels, cruise and airlines from more than 190 countries and regions participating. WTM takes place at London EXCEL, Nov 14-17, 2005. MV Arcadia makes inaugural call St. Lucia based cruise agents, Cox & Company welcomes another ship to its fold this season with the inaugural call of the Mv. Arcadia to Port Castries. At a cocktail reception and plaque exchange November 3rd, the ship was warmly welcomed to St. Lucia. A child-free ship, Arcadia features an expansive spa with a thermal suite and hydrotherapy pool, three-tier theatre, 3000-piece multi-million pound modern British art collection, 14 bars and six dining options. She is the fourth P&O Cruise liner to be named Arcadia and carries 1952 passengers and a complement of 880 crew. SLHTA launches Tourism Industry Awards The St. Lucia Hotel & Tourism Association, SLHTA launched its new Tourism Industry Awards initiative October 25th with the undertaking they will ensure its long term survival. The awards are meant to inspire accommodation industry workers and portray the diversity and professionalism of the sector. SLHTA's Executive Vice President, Terence Gustave says these new awards are a different proposition to the previous Ste. Lisi Par Excellence Awards which were discontinued some years ago. The First Caribbean International Bank has already donated $30,000 towards the project which will recognize staff of hotels, small properties, airlines, car rentals and duty-free shops. The list of awards will be expanded later to include as many aspects of the industry as possible. Nominees have been short-listed and an independent committee will select winners. Flying High Above St. Lucia's Rainforest Have you ever heard of Rainforest Sky Ride? If you haven't yet, you soon will. The company is set to begin operations in St. Lucia early next year when it establishes its tram-car ride above the island's rainforest canopy. The ride is not unique, as the first one was set up in Dominica some years ago, and the same company sought permission to duplicate the ride here. Jacquie Williams, Marketing Manager of Rainforest Sky Ride says the ride through the lush flora of St. Lucia is going to be a unique experience, giving customers a bird's eye view of the forest. 'It really is like no other experience...imagine seeing what our national bird, the St. Lucian Parrot sees as it flies overhead!' says Williams. It is targeted at the cruise ship market, but is open to all interested visitors. Rainforest Sky Ride is aiming to showcase St. Lucia's diverse plant and animal life, while gently gliding through the tree-tops in a ride that is spectacular and unforgettable. Company officials say gondolas will transport clients along with a guide, expert in the island's history, flora, and fauna. They say all of the necessary safety features to make the ride secure have been carefully thought out and included in the final design of the ride. According to the company's website, Rainforest Sky Ride is set to for completion in the Fall of 2005. The company assures that special care will be taken to ensure the rainforest is left undisturbed throughout the construction process. For more information on Rainforest Sky Ride visit: www.rainforestram.com -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- SLTB To Release Annual Report Following months of planning, research and collation of information the St. Lucia Tourist Board is about to release its annual report for 2004/05. The report details the work of the Board's management team over the last year, and contains relevant information for all industry partners. In his forward, Minister of Commerce, Tourism, Investment and Consumer Affairs, Hon. Philip J. Pierre, urged the Board to always seek new and innovative methods to market St. Lucia. 'While we reflect on our successes as a destination, the St. Lucia Tourist Board must continue to re-examine itself and reassess its processes' he added. Mr. Pierre says the new consumer campaign to be launched soon in the international media is a step in the right direction. The Board will officially present the Minister with copies of the report for final presentation to the Cabinet of Ministers, before general distribution. The publication contains reports on the marketing and promotional activities of the Regional Managers resident in the United States, the United Kingdom office and branch in Canada. The annual report also features overviews from the Board's local head office, PR activities of the overseas PR representatives - Nancy J. Friedman of the U.S. and Darwall Smith Associates Ltd of the U.K. The annual report was published under the theme 'Open The Door To A World Of Opportunities'. Tourist Board's new research tool This month, the St. Lucia Tourist Board launched the latest tool in its research arsenal, with the public introduction of Neighborhood America's Public Comment System. Public Comment Service is a web-based application designed to enhance decision making in public policy initiatives. It can be quickly deployed into an existing website or portal, or as an integrated component of Neighborhood America's award winning Public Communications System. It enables working teams, such the Board's Research and Information Systems Department to collect, moderate and report citizen commentary for any public project, issue-based public initiatives, enhancement of traditional methods of public involvement among other functions. Chairman seeks campaign support Chairman of the St. Lucia Tourist Board, Costello Michel has called on tourism industry partners to support the Board's new consumer campaign, launched locally at the end of last month. The campaign, with the theme 'You Are So Beautiful' will be launched in the United States later this month. Mr. Michel described the campaign as an integrated effort which speaks directly to potential visitors to the island. He added that it achieves several objectives - defines our brand with clarity, distinguishes ourselves from competition, connects emotionally with our customers and produces the kind of results that justifies the existence of 'Brand St. Lucia'. Mr. Michel, speaking at the local launch says through the Tourist Board, the Government of St. Lucia has committed to an investment of US $6-$7 million towards the execution of the new advertising campaign. In drumming up support for the initiative, he said, 'to successfully implement this new campaign we must ensure that the promise we make...is consistent with the actual visitor experience.' Mr. Michel says with the new consumer campaign St. Lucia has a golden opportunity to set a new benchmark for destination branding and reinvigorate our connection with visitors to the island. SLTB and Kiwanis working together The Kiwanis Club of Castries, St. Lucia along with the Board are working on erecting a new welcome sign at the George F. L. Charles airport located at Vigie. The Kiwanis Club of Castries is a voluntary, non-profit service organization dedicated to changing the world one child and one community at a time. The joint SLTB/Kiwanis project is in keeping with one of the club's key objectives - the promotion of the adoption and application of higher social, business and professional standards. Past Lieutenant Governor, Peter Alexander says his organization is pleased to be working with the St. Lucia Tourist Board on this project and is looking at extending the initiative to the Hewanorra International Airport located in the island's south. Come Taste Heineken Kalalu St. Lucia comes alive this December with the beat of World Music - a genre that resonates with high energy names like Richard Bona, Hugh Masekela and Lorrine Klaasen. The Heineken Kalalu World Music Festival takes place at Samaans Park, an exciting new venue prone to spectacular sea views and fabulous sunsets, located right beside the new Almond Morgan Bay resort. Already famous for its St. Lucia Jazz and exotic blends of kweyol language and cuisine, St. Lucia is perfect for artistes from Africa, the Caribbean and the Americas to gather, share music and make new friends. Organizers of the first ever Heineken Kalalu promises authentic sights and sounds - an experience for all the senses. www.kalalufestival.com Travel Trends - regional slow down According to the World Tourism Organization's World Tourism Barometer, preliminary data gathered shows an estimated 460 million international tourist arrivals were recorded worldwide in the first seven months of 2005. A survey conducted by the publication indicates international tourism is on an upward growth track. However, there was a six point decline for the four months of May through August when compared with the period January to April 2005. This, experts say confirms the relative decline in confidence observed since the last quarter of 2004. In a number of sub-regions around the world, monthly increases appear to be progressively slowing following a vigorous 2004. Growth for the Caribbean has varied sharply from one group of islands to another with the average increase for the first 7 months of 2005 recorded at 3% - somewhat less than industry expectations. Two reasons were given by WTO's panel of experts-inadequate airlift and hurricanes. Among the Caribbean islands that have performed well, the Barometer mentioned the following: Anguilla (+13%) St. Lucia (+11%) and St. Vincent & the Grenadines (+26%). The World Tourism Barometer is a regular publication of the Market Intelligence & Promotion Dept. of WTO - it monitors the short-term evolution of tourism and provides the sector with timely and relevant information. G.F.L. Charles airport re-opens The St. Lucia Air and Sea Ports Authority has re-opened the George F. L. Charles Airport for normal operations. The airport will open from 6:00 am to 8:00 pm daily. The rehabilitation works on the runway will continue at night (8:00 pm to 6:00 am) in keeping with the project's work program. The management of the St. Lucia Air & Sea Ports Authority has expressed appreciation for the co-operation of all industry partners and the traveling public during the eight (8) day closure of the facility to accommodate work on the middle section of the runway. St. Lucia wins yet another award St. Lucia has copped yet another award, this time from Recommend Magazine. The publication named St. Lucia 'Sexiest Honeymoon/Romance Destination in the Caribbean' for 2005. The award was presented at the 9th Annual Readers Choice Awards. According to the publisher, 'This award is particularly significant because the influential travel agent market has recognized your marketing efforts and commitment to excellence...travel agents play a critical role in the counseling and selling of your destination/product.' St. Lucia has already won the title of World Leading Honeymoon Destination in 2002, 2003 and 2004. St. Lucia hangs at London's National Gallery The beauty and cultural diversity of St Lucia is set to take centre stage in London next month when one of the images from Discovery at Marigot Bay's Portrait of St Lucia features in a special exhibition at the National Portrait Gallery. The photograph of Gabriel Felicien and his parents Claudius and Sylvina Louisy, was taken at Anse la Voutte by world-renowned British photographer Gered Mankowitz. It was selected from more than 6000 images from all over the world submitted to the Schweppes International Portrait Competition. Only 60 photographs were chosen for the associated Schweppes exhibition, which opens on November 9. As an added achievement, the St Lucia photograph will also appear in the exhibition catalogue. 'This is really great news. Portrait of St. Lucia is such an important collection of photographs, and to receive this kind of international recognition is not only a huge achievement for all of us...but such a boon for the promotion of St. Lucia as a culturally rich tourist destination.' says Discovery's PR and Marketing Manager, Molly McDaniel. The resulting exhibition, The Land, The People and The Light: Portrait of St. Lucia, was launched amid much critical acclaim and with support from the St. Lucia Tourist Board and Virgin Atlantic at the St. Lucia High Commission in London last November. Once the London show closes on February 13th, 2006 the Schweppes Exhibition will tour other parts of the United Kingdom
  • St. Lucia Visions VISIONS OF ST. LUCIA: THE LAND, THE LIGHT, THE PEOPLE To celebrate St. Lucia's 25th anniversary of Independence, in 2004, an amazing portrait exhibition was launched, featuring fifty St. Lucians, photographed in their own special island settings. We are proud to preview five of these remarkable photographs and the stories behind them in this fifteenth anniversary edition of Visions. St. Lucia is often called the Helen of the West Indies because of its stunning scenery, but it also has a reputation as a land of beautiful and often very musical and artistic people. The portrait subjects – from Dame Pearlette, the Governor General to Vincent Eudovic, the wood carver – have been photographed in some of the most picturesque and historical places in the island. A famous photographer's portrait of St. Lucia The photographs are by world famous British portrait photographer, Gered Mankowitz, whose photographs hang as works of art in some of the most prestigious galleries and private collections in the world. Some of Mankowitz's work has recently fetched record prices at auction and he is best known for his iconic portraits of rock legends such as Jimmy Hendrix. With a high profile career spanning more than 35 years, his exhibitions attract international media attention, and this one will bring St. Lucia's story to the world. Discover the people and places of St. Lucia Sponsored by Discovery, the new five star hotel and marina being built in Marigot Bay, the portraits will be exhibited together for the first time as part of Discovery's grand opening celebrations in 2005. The Banjo Man Heran Jn Baptiste La Pointe, Choiseul June 28, 2004 Bon jour, bon jour!' Heran Jn Baptiste steps from the doorway of his simple block house, a shaft of sunlight illuminates his broad gap-toothed smile and bare leathery chest. His light skin is almost golden as he moves forward to extend a large calloused fisherman's hand. 'Sa ou fait? Sa ou fait?' Cats dart to the shadows of Heran's family compound as he embraces each of us in turn. This is a place where time is measured by the seasons rather than the strict calendars of city life. Ask Heran his age and he replies simply, ' I am old.' He has been married to wife Marie 'from young' and has nine children—six sons and three daughters. He was born and raised in a traditional Carib hut just a few yards from his present home and has always lived here, overlooking the sea, minutes from the small cove where he keeps his brightly coloured wooden fishing boat. This softly spoken man has been a fisherman for as long as he can remember, having learned the craft from his father before him. Years of hauling nets and fish pots have taken their toll on his once strong shoulders, so he leaves much of the fishing to his sons. As he reminisces about 'the early days' Heron pulls his banjo from a white plastic bag and begins plucking deftly at the strings. In Patois he explains playing the banjo is his way of keeping in touch with the past; a time when life was simpler; a time when life was better. 'When I was a small boy, I played the banjo,' he smiles as he recalls his first homemade instrument, the strings crafted from fishing line. He taught himself the popular tunes of the day and began his musical career playing the 'shack-shack' with a local quadrille band. Now Heran and the La Pointe Shack-Shack band are regulars on the southern hotel circuit keeping the traditional music of the island alive, and bringing to life the 'better days' of the past. 'Playing is important to me,' he says as he plucks a string, tunes, then plucks again taking a stool outside his son's straw and stick home. His grandsons leave the smoothing of newly crafted clay coal pots to listen, chickens scattering around their anxious feet. 'I pray God that I should be here a while longer, to play a while longer.' And as his banjo sparks to life yet again, the strings suggest there is much more to come. The Jazzman Boo Ronald 'Boo' Hinkson Pigeon Island National Landmark Gros Islet June 8, 2004 'That's Boo Hinkson!' Photographic assistant Darnell Jn Charles announces the arrival of the musician whose name has become synonymous with the St. Lucia Jazz Festival. At 14, he has not yet learned the adult art of hiding his excitement at meeting such a noted St. Lucian celebrity—especially one who is gracing the cover of the latest Cable & Wireless telephone directory. The afternoon sun is scorching as Ronald 'Boo' Hinkson alights from his car, an elegant late model Mercedes, his favourite guitar still under wraps in its case. He walks slowly towards the shade and the plethora of lights and other equipment being set up amid the British military ruins at Pigeon Island National Landmark—the scene of so many of his Jazz Festival victories. As a musician, arranger, composer and performer, Boo has been making music in his St. Lucian homeland for more than three decades. 'My mother is the one who taught me the guitar and encouraged all of my early musical efforts—the song writing and the experimentation. She had a gift and she wanted to share that gift with me,' says Boo, his voice as melodic and relaxed as many of the songs he performs. In the 60s, Boo joined with his brothers and friends to form the Tru Tones, a group hailed across the region for its original Caribbean and pop rhythms. Such was the popularity of the Tru Tones that they even headed Stateside where they performed at Superbowl XIII in 1979. Five albums and countless hits later, the group disbanded and solo artist Boo headed in a new musical direction focusing on R&B and his now signature Caribbean jazz stylings. Success followed. The acclaimed guitarist has opened for greats such as George Benson and Kenny Burell, Al Jarreau, India Arie and Grover Washington Jr. He has performed several times with Stanley Jordan who describes Boo as 'not just a good player, a great player.' He has won over audiences in Germany, Canada, the United Kingdom, the US and throughout the Caribbean. Live performances have been broadcast over BBC, BET on Jazz and Bravo TV. His music has even been featured on the day-time series, One Life to Live. 'My development as an artist is indivisible from my development as a person, and I am still moving forward and I am still developing,' he says with a flash of that drop-dead smile. The sun is now lowering to perfect position behind Signal Hill, the spot where it is said Admiral Rodney Rodney himself perched to keep an eye on French movements at Martinique. Boo begins to strum a tune and hum, leaning against the dark stone of what was once a military hospital while the camera shutter keeps time with his up-tempo rhythm. Boo will travel to St Kitts the following day for that island's music festival. 'There's a strange mix in the line-up so I'm not sure how we are going to pitch our performance,' he explains. 'I hope we can come up with something they like.' Can there really be any doubt? Making her House a Home Governor General Dame Calliopa Pearlette Louisy, GCSL, GCMG Government House The Morne, Castries June 10, 2004 Her Excellency will be out shortly.' Major Bernadette Saltibus offers a warm greeting in the opulent entry hall of Government House, her cheerful presence immediately softening the rigid formality of her surroundings. She is not how you would expect the Governor General's aide de camp to be. There's no bodyguard stiffness, nor cold appraisal. Major Saltibus walks up the impressive staircase and into the formal sitting room, laughing as she rushes to pick up the pieces of a burst balloon. 'It was Her Excellency's birthday on Tuesday and we had a bit of a surprise party for her in here.' She admits party-goers are still talking about Her Excellency's karaoke version of 'My Boy Lollipop'. There is a sense that this elegant building, completed in November 1895, is more than just a St. Lucian landmark, it is a home. Dame Pearlette reinforces this feeling as she enters the room, extending her hand and smiling broadly, her fuchsia suit ginger lily bright against the cream sofa. The island's first ever female head of state has brought her own style of relaxed leadership to Government House earning respectful admirers both on the island and further afield. Before taking her position as the Crown's representative in 1997 and being conferred the title of Dame Grand Cross of the Order of St Michael and St. George by the Queen in 1999, Dame Pearlette was well known as an educator beginning her professional life as a teacher at the Laborie Mixed Infants School, in her home village. She became principal at the Sir Arthur Lewis Community College, only leaving to take up her appointment as Governor General. Those who grew up with Dame Pearlette in the village of Laborie remember her as a driven student who would study under street lamps when her own home had no electricity. Academically gifted, she earned scholarships to the University of the West Indies at Cave Hill and the University of Laval in Quebec, before gaining her PhD in Education at the University of Bristol in the UK, which would later award her an Honorary Doctor of Laws. Her doctorate focused on the management and provision of tertiary education in small nation states and many of her published papers are still quoted by students of education today. But there is more to Dame Pearlette than her professional achievements. She is often lauded for her eloquent use of the Creole language and her love for the island's culture and history makes herthe perfect custodian for the treasures of the Government House museum. 'Like many of the things we have here, this is a very important relic of our past,' Dame Pearlette says, running her hand along the ornate chair used in her portrait, St. Lucia's coat of arms and motto—The Land, The People, The Light—depicted on its back and seat. The chair was commissioned by St. Lucia's High Commissioner to London, Dr Claudius Thomas, and made by expert embroiderers at Hampton Court. Tommy, as he was affectionately known, had a dream to build a house in traditional style and fill it with St. Lucian artifacts and memorabilia as a gift to the nation. Sadly, Tommy died before he saw his dream come to fruition. The house he christened Manderlay, but never lived in, was sold and many of his artifacts disappeared. If not for the efforts of former First Lady Janice Compton, the chair might well have vanished too. Luckily she convinced Geest to buy the chair and donate it to the people of St. Lucia. It is now in very safe hands. Vincent Eudovic Master Wood Sculptor Eudovic Art Studio Goodlands, Morne Fortune June 9, 2004 When you look at this, what do you see?' asked master woodcarver and sculptor Vincent Eudovic on a rare rain-soaked day at his Goodlands studio, Morne Fortune. His hand caresses the contours of his raw canvass: 'Each piece of wood speaks to me. I can see even before I start what this will be and how I will shape it.' His next large sculpture is to be called 'Sailing'. Vincent traces the billowing sails and tossing waves which whisper to him from the tight packed wood grain of a massive piece of Lauier Cannel. Surrounded by chipped out shavings and the chiseled shapes of mahogany, white and red cedar and Louier Mabouey, Vincent tries to recall a time when he didn't carve. Born in Babonneau, St. Lucia, April 15, 1942, the sculptor played and worked with wood from an early age, and was inspired to take up carving as a profession by the constant visions of little dancing men carving in his garden. At the age of 11 Vincent created his first masterpiece, 'Ali Baba', which earned him first prize at a national wood carving against older and more experienced carvers. At 17 he travelled to Trinidad where he determinedly attached himself to a well-known sculptor, Ricardo Vincente who reluctantly took on the talented young St. Lucian as an apprentice. Ten years later, Vincent returned to St. Lucia to teach at the government training center in La Fague, Choiseul. Under his influence, the center was converted into the Choiseul Handicraft Centre. In 1972 he was awarded a UNESCO Scholarship which took the young artist to Nigeria to train with well known and respected sculptors Bisi Fakay and Erabo Emakpa—an experience which Vincent describes as pivotal in his development. 'This was probably the best experience of my life. I saw that they were doing large pieces of modern abstract art and they were so willing to pass on this incredible knowledge to young aspiring artists such as myself.' On his return to St. Lucia, Vincent settled down to married life with wife Joycelin (they have six children), continued to conduct his own workshops in woodcarving for young artists, and worked relentlessly to perfect his own craft. Numerous international and regional exhibitions and accolades followed including the 1976 medal for sculpture given at the first international woodcarving exhibition in Guadeloupe, the award for best wood sculptor at the Minvielle and Chastanet Fine Arts Awards in St. Lucia from 1980 to 1989, and the St. Lucia Medal of Honour for services to the Arts (1994). 'I do feel as though I have been blessed,' he says, picking up a wood file which becomes instantly an extension of his sculptor's hand. 'Good wood is the gold of the Caribbean… dry wood is a treasure which deserves time and patience so that its true beauty can be revealed. Every piece of wood is unique and can never be re-created. It will tell you what to do, what shape to follow.' The secret is being able to listen. A Natural Man Moses Hippolyte, Rastafarian Toraille Falls, Soufriere June 23, 2004 You have to respect nature and nature will respect you.' Moses Hippolyte shakes the water from his knee-length locks as the sun breaks through the thick vegetation surrounding the Toraille Falls. Based in the busy capital of Castries, Moses, who has been a Rastafarian 'forever' and 'would not like to change it any day soon', ventures as often as possible to the wild side of the island, to wash away the grit of 'civilization' and to commune with Jah. 'Every weekend I go to a different river, places that are a little more remote, a little wilder, to cleanse my spirit.' He grabs some hibiscus leaves from the surrounding bush and rubs them together vigorously at the edge of the large pool beneath the falls. A foaming lather appears and Moses scrubs the mixture into his incredible tresses. 'Mother Nature has everything you need, you just need to look,' he says, rinsing the shampoo with a quick step under the 60ft torrent of thundering water. Heavy overnight rain has produced an impressive cascade and Moses, who has worked for the St. Lucia Tourist Board for over 20 years, disappears behind the mist, re-emerging with a shiver. 'This is what visitors should see in St. Lucia—our natural blessings; our Simply Beautiful attractions.' The whole Toraille area has been kept as natural as possible by landowners Casilda and Altus Hippolyte. Before returning to St. Lucia, the couple spent a number of years in Guyana where they visited some of the region's top eco-tourism attractions, and decided to create their own slice of paradise on their family land. About four years ago, Toraille Falls was accepted as one of St. Lucia's Nature Heritage Tourism sites. As Moses dries off, hummingbirds flit in and out of the heliconias growing near the small wooden benches fringing the falls. He sighs, 'Jah bless. Who needs more than this?'
  • St. Lucia Weddings The secret is out. Couples love getting married in St. Lucia. Indeed, we are the marriage specialists. It must be something in the air or in the water! And even the media is catching on. In 2004, World Travel Awards chose St. Lucia as the World's Best Honeymoon destination and Modern Bride Magazine voted St. Lucia one of its top ten honeymoon locations. Whatever you desire, St. Lucia offers all sorts of possibilities. Thirty hotels on the island specialise in weddings and encourage couples to stay on for their honeymoon. Sandals with three hotels on the island, performs the greatest number of visitor weddings in St. Lucia. There is such a demand for the service that each hotel has at least one wedding coordinator who does nothing else but arrange perfect cermonies. This service is ideal for couples who want to escape the stressful aspects of wedding planning. The bride and groom can literally lie on the beach until their wedding day. Formalities, flowers, photographer, music and reception are all taken care of by the wedding coordinator. Bay Gardens specialises in garden and poolside ceremonies, Le Sport hotel makes the most of its spectacular architecture as a backdrop for its clients' weddings. Windjammer Landing makes every wedding special. They do no more than two ceremonies each day. They want couples to enjoy the exclusiveness of the occasion. If you really want scenery, then there is Soufrière. The Pitons, one of the new World Heritage Sites, is about the most dramatic backdrop to any wedding photograph. That way everyone will know you got married in St. Lucia, the chic place for weddings. Church ceremonies can also be arranged. However, this takes a bit more time to plan than a civil ceremony. There are certain legal requirements that have to be completed before the marriage. These are clearly explained by local lawyers, usually chosen by your hotel, who will make your application to the Attorney General for permission to marry in St. Lucia. The application must be made seven days before the ceremony even though the couple is not yet in the island. Original identity papers are required as well as divorce papers and even death certificates for widows and widowers. For individuals under eighteen, proof of parental consent must be produced. The St. Lucian marriage certificate is recognised in most foreign countries such as the United States and Great Britain. French nationals, however, must register their marriage with the local embassy. The demand for weddings in St. Lucia has created a new profession, that of marriage officer. Each new nomination is confirmed by an act of parliament. These civil marriage officers follow the vows and the rules laid down by the Registrar's officer. However, wedding officers will happily accommodate couples who wish to include a reading from the Bible in their ceremony. Photographers and cameramen are available to record the event. Steel bands and saxophone players will give you music to dance to. Florists will make your bouquets a jungle of tropical flowers. If you are still shopping around, try the Internet. Look under St. Lucia weddings and you will see pages and pages of options to choose from. Indeed, there are literally hundreds of ways to say 'I do' while the waves gently brush against the sandy shore at sunset.
  • St. Lucia Yachting ISLAND YACHTING CASTRIES HARBOUR Vigie Creek (near GFL Charles Airport) and Castries City are the harbour's two main anchorages. Services include repair and replenishment facilities, hardware shops, restaurants and the capital's open-air market. Vigie is the more secluded of the two anchorages. When entering Castries Harbour, it is necessary to avoid the shoal that extends to the west of Tapion Peak. Vigie Hill has a light that flashes twice every 10 seconds, allowing you to easily identify the harbour at night. Castries does have Customs officials, but it is easier for yachtsmen to clear through Rodney Bay or Marigot. Officials insist that yachts entering the harbour come directly to the Customs' dock (if there is no room, anchor east of the Customs buoy). It is wise not to ignore this directive as a huge fine could be incurred. The Vigie Marina at Ganters Bay is to become a new maritime terminal reserved for regional passenger vessels. This will also be an official port of entry. Facilities at Castries Harbour: Harbour/Yacht Services Pointe Seraphine Cruise Ship and Harbour 452-3036 8 am to 5 pm Duty-free shopping St. Lucia Yacht Services 452-5057 or VHF 16 8:30 am - 4 pm Car rentals; water; fuel; electricity; 10-20 berths. Restaurants Froggie Jacques Tropical Bistro 458-1900, Mon. to Sat., Lunch & Dinner The Coal Pot 452-5566, Mon. to Fri., 12 pm to 12 am; Saturday 6 pm to 12 am Café au Lait All week 7 am to 8 pm Castries Yacht Centre 452-6234 or VHF 16 8 am to 4 pm SOUFRIERE Home of the island's most famous twins, the Pitons, Soufrière offers dramatic backdrops for visiting boats. While Soufrière itself is an official port of entry, anchorages can also be found at Anse Chastanet, just north of Soufrière Bay, and off the Hummingbird Beach Resort north of Soufrière town. The Soufrière Marine Management Area issues Coral Conservation Permits to all vessels anchoring within the management area. The cost of the permit depends on vessel size and length of stay. Authorised members of the Soufrière Water Taxi Association will help tie stern lines and are available for any kind of water transfer service. Rates are standard and they will also provide watchman services when boat owners are ashore. In Soufrière, there are plenty of sights to be explored both above and below the water line. RODNEY BAY Rodney Bay is over a mile long with a man-made causeway at its northern end that connects Pigeon Island to the mainland and shelters the whole bay. Within the bay is a large, completely protected inner lagoon, accessed via a man-made channel between Reduit Beach and the town of Gros Islet. This lagoon, dredged to 15ft., is the home of Rodney Bay Marina. It is also the ARC's (Atlantic Rally for Cruisers) Caribbean home. Within the Marina's complex there are restaurants, boutiques, banks with ATM facilities, public telephones, a supermarket, and car rental agency. The services of a well-stocked, duty-free chandlery, banks, showers and bathroom facilities are also available. Visitors can also take advantage of the many fine restaurants, shops and hotels in the vicinity. Rodney Bay Marina (VHF 16) is an official port of entry to St. Lucia. If you're planning to stay at the Marina, you must dock at a berth and walk to the Immigration and Customs office. If you're planning to anchor out at Reduit Beach, Gros Islet or Pigeon Point, the Marina is the most convenient port of entry into St. Lucia. A Customs' slip is located approximately two-thirds of the way down the outer dock at Rodney Bay Marina and is marked by a yellow post. Use of the Customs slip is free of charge. Immigration and Customs are usually open daily from 8 am to noon and from 1 pm to 6 pm. Facilities at Rodney Bay Marina: The Rodney Bay Marina offers a range of services. Official services are offered at the Customs & Immigration Office (452 0235), open Saturday to Thursday 8:00 am to 4:30 pm and Friday 8:00 am to 6:00 pm. The RBM Office is also open from 8:00 am to 6:00 pm. Additionally, you have access to charters, restaurants and cafés, shops, banks and a range of miscellaneous services. Fuel, water, phones, dry dock and transportation are all available at Rodney Bay Marina. VIEUX FORT Home to St. Lucia's main international airport, Hewanorra, and the island's second-largest town, Vieux Fort is nevertheless still somewhat off the beaten track as far as most tourists go. Sporting one of the longest stretches of soft, sandy beach and offering the island's first (proposed) National Park, this official port of entry offers a more unspoiled version of the island's charm. Anchorages are off the town's big ship dock, where Customs can be found, or beside the brandnew Fisheries Complex. The town offers basic mechanical services, two well-assorted supermarkets/shopping malls and a great selection of fresh fruits, fish and vegetables on the Saturday market. Anse de Sable Bay, on Vieux Fort's reef-protected Atlantic coast, is proving to be one of the Caribbean's finest windsurfing locations, with state-of-the-art equipment for rent. For more information on St. Lucia's marine laws, follow the marine guidelines included here (traduit en français) or check with the Department of Fisheries at 452-3987/2611, ext. 2811.

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Doordat het voor exploitanten niet transparant is, kost ook de extra communicatie meer tijd voor de adverteerders, mediabureaus en 'netwerk' exploitanten zelf. Dé oplossing Mbuyu biedt mediabureaus in haar Partnership Management Software 'm4n' de oplossing voor CPL-deals: m4dart. Hiermee kunnen zij bij hun klanten eenvoudig leads registreren. De klant kan deze leads zelf online accorderen en - last but not least - kunnen netwerken, die met 'DFP' of een soortgelijk admanagementsysteem werken, precies bijhouden via welke site de klik en/of lead is gezet. Met m4dart tijdwinst en lagere kosten 1 - De adverteerder kan webbased leads accorderen en hoeft niet langer met Excel-spreadsheets aan de slag. 2 - Het mediabureau hoeft niet langer handmatig leads per netwerk en per exploitant uit te splitsen 3 - De netwerk-exploitant kan zien welke lead op welke website is binnen gekomen. Niet morgen maar nu! Wilt u ook de administratieve rompslomp rond leads verminderen en eenvoudig bij meerdere netwerken en/of websites tegelijk inkopen? Laat uw gegevens achter! Algemeen In Nederland is Mbuyu-Leadtrace (opgericht in 1999 in Amsterdam) de meest vooruitstrevende aanbieder van performance-based marketing oplossingen en partnerprogramma's. Hierbij richten zij zich op de essentie: het verhogen van omzet voor adverteerders en inkomsten voor exploitanten door kwalitatief betere promotie-uitingen en websites. Mbuyu-Leadtrace kan als derde, onafhankelijke partij de resultaten meten van bestaande partnerships tussen twee of meer partijen. Onder de klanten van Mbuyu-Leadtrace bevinden zich consumentenbedrijven zoals Otto, NS, Vodafone, Telecomadvies, Typhone en Jamba. Maar ook business-2-business is vertegenwoordigd, ondermeer door BVO Trainingcenter. Naast partnerprogramma's op basis van commissies per 1.000 views, per klik, per lead en/of verkoop kunnen bedrijven bij Mbuyu-Leadtrace terecht voor de licentie van de technologie en het voeren van campagnes op diverse netwerken. In augustus 2002 heeft Mbuyu-Leadtrace de Partnership Management Software m4n geïntroduceerd. Met m4n kunnen naast het ’traditionele’ promotiemateriaal eenvoudig advertorials, tekstlinks en formulieren op websites en in nieuwsbrieven worden geplaatst. Dergelijke textbased promotie-uitingen verrijken niet alleen de content van de exploitanten, maar leveren ook hoge(re) resultaten in termen van bezoekers, leads en verkopen. Enkele cijfers Mbuyu-Leadtrace heeft sinds de introductie van m4n een maandelijkse omzet groei van 50% gerealiseerd. Het aantal website-exploitanten dat van de software gebruik maakt, groeit met meer dan 75 per maand. In maart van dit jaar waren deze deelnemers op internet goed voor zo'n 1,5 miljard views per maand! Daarnaast wordt er elke twee weken een nieuwe versie van m4n gelanceerd, waarbij de mening van alle deelnemers zwaar meetelt bij de verbeteringen die worden doorgevoerd. Er werken momenteel 4 gerenommeerde softwarebedrijven mee aan de technologie. Voordelen voor adverteerders De laagste acquisitiekosten per klant. Constante stroom bezoekers, inschrijvingen en verkopen. Inzicht in de deelnemenden exploitanten. Betalen op resultaten (per klik, lead en/of verkoop). Toegang tot vele websites en nieuwsbrieven. Betrouwbare meting van de resultaten met geavanceerde software. Online en realtime bekijken van de statistieken. Doorlopende optimalisering van de resultaten. Complete administratieve afhandeling door Mbuyu-Leadtrace. Voordelen mediabureaus Tijdwinst beheer van meerdere exploitanten. Geen administratie van lead deals. In een keer via meerdere netwerken inkopen. Grote set aan online marketing middelen voor adverteerders. Resultaat gerichte marketing resultaten. Lagere licentiekosten software. Klik hier voor meer informatie over Mbuyu-Leadtrace en de Partnership Management Software m4n. Wilt u: Partnerships aangaan met website-exploitanten en -uitgevers. Online meer bezoekers, leads en verkopen realiseren. Meer omzet halen uit uw online activiteiten. De acquisitie kosten per lead verlagen. Minder administratie rondom registratie van leads. De effectiviteit van uw online promotie verhogen. Met informatie en content online marketing verrichten. Met een eenvoudige tool leads van meerdere websites, netwerken en/of nieuwsbrieven bijhouden en uitbetalen. Eenvoudig gecombineerde CPM-, CPC-, CPL-deals met partners sluiten en beheren. Vooraf inzicht in uw online return on investment. Een vrijblijvend gesprek om te inventariseren hoe u uw online resultaten kunt verbeteren.
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  • Trade Tracker TradeTracker biedt online publishers (affiliates) de mogelijkheid om advertentie inkomsten te genereren en/of te optimaliseren. U kunt affiliate worden als u eigenaar bent van een site en interesse hebt om geld te verdienen aan uw bezoekers. Deelname is kosteloos, en u hoeft alleen die adverteerders op te nemen die u bij uw doelgroep en site vindt passen. Over TradeTracker TradeTracker biedt online publishers de mogelijkheid om met hun website inkomsten te genereren. Dit kan door promotie te maken voor de bij TradeTracker aangesloten adverteerders. Deze adverteerders stellen daarvoor promotie-materiaal ter beschikking (banners, advertorials, tekstlinks, e.d.) die de affiliates op hun site kunnen plaatsen. Als affiliate kan men dan verdienen per gerealiseerde transactie. Realtime overzichten Via TradeTracker.nl hebben affiliates realtime inzicht in de plaatsgevonden transacties en verdiensten. Met behulp van de de uitgebreide en duidelijke statistieken kunnen de promotie-campagnes gemonitord en geoptimaliseerd worden. Vergoeding De aangeboden vergoeding voor het promoten van de bij TradeTracker aangesloten adverteerders vindt plaats op basis van kliks, leads en/of sales (en eventueel op cpm). Deze vergoeding is per adverteerder verschillend, en kan afhangen van het aantal bezoekers dat uw site heeft en de relevantie van uw doelgroep voor de adverteerder. Voordelen TradeTracker biedt u: Direct toegang tot adverteerders Optimalisatie van uw advertentieruimte Overzichtelijke statistieken en rapportages Tijdige en betrouwbare betalingen Software licentie De benodigde software draait op de servers van TradeTracker en wordt kosteloos aan affiliates aangeboden. Aanmelden Mocht u interesse hebben om affiliate-partner te worden, meldt u zich dan als affiliate aan via het aanmeldformulier. Uw aanvraag zal dan zo spoedig mogelijk behandeld worden. U heeft een (nieuwe) webshop of informatieve website. Aan alles is gedacht. Vormgeving, navigatie, content, databases, alles klopt. U zou alleen nog meer bezoekers en/of kopers op uw site willen hebben. U zou hiervoor wel meer willen adverteren, maar daarbij ook willen afrekenen op resultaat (leads / sales), zonder dat u vooraf moet betalen voor iets waarvan u niet zeker weet wat deze gaat opleveren. TradeTracker maakt dit voor u mogelijk. Via de software van TradeTracker en het aangesloten netwerk van affiliates heeft u de mogelijkheid om op basis van No-Cure-No-Pay uw eigen online 'performance based' marketing campagne te starten. Door een licentie op onze software te nemen kunt u gebruik maken van ons netwerk, en krijgt u er als het ware een 'virtual sales force' bij. Uw online campagne kan via TradeTracker snel en eenvoudig worden opgezet, en kan met verschillende soorten (dynamisch) promotie- materiaal ondersteund worden. Ook de commissie structuur, welke affiliates uw campagne mogen promoten, en welke transacties goedgekeurd worden bepaalt u zelf. Zo behoud u alle controle over uw campagne. Performance Based Marketing Performance Based Marketing is een marketing-techniek, waarbij de kosten van het vermarkten van uw product en/of dienst pas gemaakt worden als er gepresteerd is en doelstellingen behaald zijn. Voor uw bedrijf betekent dit dat er geen tijd en geld besteed hoeft te worden aan dure marketing campagnes, waarmee u ook consumenten bereikt die via banners, tekstlinks en ander promotie materiaal wel uw webshop of website bezoeken, maar toch niet in uw producten of diensten geïnteresseerd zijn. No-Cure-No-Pay In combinatie met de kracht van het internet is performance based marketing een snelle, goedkope en effectieve manier om business te promoten. De kosten die gemaakt worden zitten voornamelijk in de aangeboden commissie die de affiliates ontvangen. Deze commissie kan worden opgebouwd uit een cpc (cost per click), cpl (cost per lead) ,(cost per sale), cpm (cost per mille) en/of een vaste vergoeding, die pas na het behalen van de afgesproken prestatie betaald hoeft te worden. Omdat via deze vorm van marketing de voornaamste kosten pas gemaakt worden als de doelstellingen zijn gehaald, kunt u als adverteerder ongekende resultaten behalen met uw online marketingcampagnes. Virtual sales force TradeTracker beschikt over een netwerk van aangesloten partner websites (affiliates), die in ruil voor de door u aangeboden commissie uw webshop kunnen promoten. U hoeft dus niet meer zelf op zoek te gaan naar geschikte websites, want eenmaal aangesloten bij TradeTracker zullen de affiliates zich zelf bij u aanmelden. Op deze manier kunt u met weinig moeite heel snel een 'virtual sales force' opbouwen. U blijft echter alle controle houden, want u bepaalt zelf welke affiliates u wilt toelaten en welke transacties goedgekeurd worden. Software licentie De benodigde software draait op de servers van TradeTracker en wordt in licentie aangeboden. U hoeft dus zelf niet te investeren in dure software, en het onderhoud wordt volledig door TradeTracker verzorgt. Dit heeft ook als voordeel dat u altijd de beschikking heeft over de laatste sofware versie. Werkwijze Snel en eenvoudig Het opzetten van een promotie campagne via TradeTracker kan zeer snel en eenvoudig worden gerealiseerd. In de meeste gevallen kunt u binnen twee werkdagen na het aanmelden al van start gaan met uw online marketing campagne. Na het plaatsen van de trackingcode, het promotie-materiaal (banners, tekstlinks, etc.) en het instellen van de commissie structuur voor de affiliates, kunt u met de campagne 'live' gaan. Via het e-mail systeem van TradeTracker zullen de aangesloten affiliates vervolgens op de hoogte worden gebracht van uw programma. Promotie-materiaal U heeft de mogelijkheid om verschillende soorten promotie-materiaal te plaatsen. TradeTracker biedt ondersteuning voor tekstlinks, .gif, .jpg, en .png banners, flash, HTML advertorials en pop-up en pop-under advertenties. Commissie structuur De commissie structuur voor de affiliates kunt u geheel zelf bepalen. Deze kan worden opgebouwd uit een cpc (cost per click), cpl (cost per lead) en/of (cost per sale) vergoeding. Voor de cpl en cps kan een vaste of een variabele vergoeding worden ingesteld. Ook is het mogelijk om met bepaalde affiliates afwijkende vergoedingen af te spreken. Mogelijkheden & Doelstellingen Er zijn diverse manieren waarop u TradeTracker zou kunnen inzetten. Afhankelijk van uw doelstellingen kunt u TradeTracker onder andere gebruiken voor: het promoten en verkopen van producten en/of diensten het genereren van leads het opbouwen van een opt-in e-mail database het genereren van bezoek op uw (nieuwe) site het vergroten van uw brand awareness Wij vertellen u graag meer en kunnen u adviseren en helpen bij een strategische aanpak van performance based marketing via het internet, en hoe een optimaal resultaat behaald kan worden. Voor meer informatie kunt u contact met ons opnemen.
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